body blow

noun3

1. •
   A severely injurious or damaging physical strike or impact.

   • The fight is not all one-sided. Lion is taking a savage beating as the two flagships trade body blows almost independent of the furious carronade going on behind them. — 2018
2. •
   A serious setback; a traumatizing event which prevents or hinders continuation of an activity.

   • "I can hardly exaggerate the body blow to the Service such a decision would give. Nobody will believe in it again." — 1910
3. •
   A hard punch struck to the torso.

   • He led at Berks's head, as he came rushing in, and missed him, receiving a severe body blow in return. — 1896