body blow
Hit below chin
A body blow is a punch to the torso rather than the head, especially in boxing.
Figuratively, it's a serious setback or damaging event that weakens but doesn't immediately defeat: The scandal was a body blow to his campaign.
Unlike a knockout, a body blow leaves you standing but hurting.
Strike with fist
- jabQuick, straight blow
- hookCurved catching device
- uppercutAscending boxing strike
- crossPass from side to side
knockout · haymaker · counterpunch · clinch · combination · slugger · pugilist · sparring
Emotional vulnerability or fondness
- weak pointExploitable flaw or vulnerability
- exposureState of being unprotected
- defenselessnessState of being unprotected
- susceptibilityLiability to influence
unprotected · midsection · ribs · torso · solar plexus · kidneys · liver shot
Severe widespread destruction
- demoralizationLoss of confidence and hope
- discouragementLoss of confidence
- dejectionState of lowness
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
heartache · anguish · despair · disillusionment · crestfallen · blow · crushing · reeling
Complete change of direction
- defeatVictory over another
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- failureLack of success
- hindranceBarrier to progress
obstacle · complication · adversity · misfortune · stumbling block · impediment · drawback · snag
Abrupt forceful shake
- bombshellShocking sudden revelation
- stunnerPerson or thing overwhelming
- whammyCurse or misfortune
- sucker punchUnanticipated strike without warning
blindside · upheaval · thunderbolt · curveball · gut punch · wallop · impact · reverberation
punch
Strike with fist
cross · knockout · haymaker · counterpunch · clinch · combination · slugger · pugilist · sparring · heavyweight
soft spot
Emotional vulnerability or fondness
- weak pointExploitable flaw or vulnerability
- exposureState of being unprotected
- defenselessnessState of being unprotected
susceptibility · unprotected · midsection · ribs · torso · solar plexus · kidneys · liver shot
devastation
Severe widespread destruction
- demoralizationLoss of confidence and hope
- discouragementLoss of confidence
- dejectionState of lowness
dismay · heartache · anguish · despair · disillusionment · crestfallen · blow · crushing · reeling · winded
reversal
Complete change of direction
- defeatVictory over another
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- failureLack of success
hindrance · obstacle · complication · adversity · misfortune · stumbling block · impediment · drawback · snag · delay
jolt
Abrupt forceful shake
sucker punch · blindside · upheaval · thunderbolt · curveball · gut punch · wallop · impact · reverberation
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- fistfightspunch, jab, uppercut, haymaker, right hook
- punchesjab, uppercut, haymaker, left hook, right hook
- strikesgeneral strike, labor strike, wildcat strike, strike action, walkout
- fightsfight, brawl, scuffle, scrap, tussle
- sudden actionsjolt, punch, slap, kick, slam
body blowglancing blow
Oblique, partial impact
hiccup · bump in the road · flesh wound · pinprick · scratch
bodily, embody, bodies, embodiment, embodied, disembodied, embodying, disembody, body shot