# body blow

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/body-blow
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A serious setback; a traumatizing event which prevents or hinders continuation of an activity.

## Examples

- The loss of their main sponsor was a real body blow.
- Losing the championship game after such a long season was a major body blow to the team's morale.
- The sudden cancellation of the project served as a devastating body blow to the department, effectively halting all progress on their research for the remainder of the year.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.