low blow

American

noun

(in boxing) an illegal blow below the waist of an opponent.
an unfair or unsportsmanlike criticism or attack.

low blow Idioms

An unscrupulous attack; an insult. For example, When my roommate moved out without a word of warning, leaving me to pay the entire rent, that was a low blow, or She wanted to win the argument, but bringing up his failed marriage was a low blow. This term alludes to the illegal practice of hitting an opponent in boxing below the belt. [c. 1950]

Etymology

Origin of low blow

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That’s a lie, Soboroff shot back, claiming he was insulted by the low blow.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

It sounds like a low blow, and an odd attack line in a diverse state filled with immigrants and newcomers of all kinds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

Dubois' trainer Don Charles made reference to the low blow when the fighters met at a news conference before their rematch in April.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2025

Pound-for-pound star Usyk beat Dubois via a ninth-round stoppage in August 2023 but was dropped by a body shot, which was declared a low blow, earlier in the fight.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2025

Ooh, it’s a low blow: Go to Naples, I can’t stand you.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023