body slam: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Low frequency, domain-specific with metaphorical extensions)Informal, Sports/Entertainment journalism, Figurative language
Quick answer
What does “body slam” mean?
A powerful wrestling or fighting move where one person lifts and throws their body weight onto an opponent, forcing them to the ground.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A powerful wrestling or fighting move where one person lifts and throws their body weight onto an opponent, forcing them to the ground.
Any forceful, overwhelming physical or metaphorical impact that resembles the decisive, dominating nature of the wrestling move.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English due to the prominence of professional wrestling (WWE). In British English, its primary recognition comes from globalised media. The term 'bodyslam' (one word) is a common variant in both.
Connotations
Strongly associated with professional wrestling spectacle and hyperbole. In political/journalistic metaphor, it carries a US-centric, combative tone.
Frequency
Low frequency in general corpus. Higher frequency in sports/entertainment news and metaphorical political commentary, especially in US media.
Grammar
How to Use “body slam” in a Sentence
[Subject] body-slams [Object][Subject] delivers a body slam to [Object][Subject] is on the receiving end of a body slamVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body slam” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The champion body-slammed the challenger onto the metal ramp.
- The article metaphorically body-slams the government's new policy.
American English
- He got bodyslammed right through the announcer's table.
- The senator vowed to bodyslam the bill in committee.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; very rare) He went down body-slam hard.
American English
- (Not standard; very rare) He hit him bodyslam-style.
adjective
British English
- A body-slam finish ended the match.
- He's known for his body-slam technique.
American English
- The bodyslam maneuver is his signature move.
- She scored a bodyslam victory in the polls.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used metaphorically: "The new market entrant body-slammed the established competitors with its aggressive pricing."
Academic
Very rare. Might appear in sports sociology or media studies analysing wrestling.
Everyday
Low. Understood mainly by fans of wrestling or combat sports.
Technical
Specific to professional wrestling, some martial arts. Refers to a specific class of throw.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body slam”
- Using it to describe any kind of hit (e.g., a punch). It specifically involves using one's full body weight to drive an opponent down. Confusing it with 'clothesline' or 'suplex'. Spelling as 'bodyslam' (common variant) vs. 'body slam'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'body slam' (open form) and 'bodyslam' (closed form) are accepted, with 'bodyslam' being very common, especially for the verb.
Yes, primarily as a vivid metaphor in journalism or commentary to describe a decisive defeat or crushing criticism in politics, business, or sports.
A 'slam dunk' (basketball) implies a certain, easy success. A 'body slam' implies a forceful, overwhelming, and often humiliating physical impact or defeat.
No. It is informal and originates from sports entertainment. Its metaphorical use is stylistic and adds a dramatic, informal tone.
A powerful wrestling or fighting move where one person lifts and throws their body weight onto an opponent, forcing them to the ground.
Body slam: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi slæm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi slæm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(metaphorical) a political body slam”
- “to body-slam the competition”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a wrestler's BODY making a loud SLAM on the canvas.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT/COMPETITION IS WRESTLING ("He body-slammed his opponent in the debate.")
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, 'to body-slam' a proposal means to: