punch in the stomach

Meanings

1. 1phrasecountable

   a hit with a closed hand to the front part of the body below the chest

   Grammar: Countable: use 'a' or 'the' before it when it means one hit, e.g. 'a punch in the stomach'.

   Patterns

   • a punch in the stomach
   • get a punch in the stomach
   • give someone a punch in the stomach

   The attacker gave him a punch in the stomach and ran off.

   She doubled over after a punch in the stomach during the fight.

   He felt a punch in the stomach and couldn't breathe for a moment.

2. 2phrasecountablefigurative

   a sudden shock or disappointment that feels like a physical blow

   Grammar: Figurative use; often followed by 'when' or 'to' to show the cause.

   Patterns

   • a punch in the stomach
   • feel like a punch in the stomach
   • be a punch in the stomach to someone

   The news of the layoffs was a punch in the stomach to the whole team.

   Losing the championship was a punch in the stomach for the players.

   Her sudden departure felt like a punch in the stomach.

Common combinations

a punch in the stomach

He received a punch in the stomach during the scuffle.

give someone a punch in the stomach

The bully gave him a punch in the stomach.

take a punch in the stomach

The boxer took a punch in the stomach but stayed standing.

feel like a punch in the stomach

The bad review felt like a punch in the stomach.

Synonyms and how they differ

blow to the stomach

More formal and often used for any kind of hit, not just with a fist.

gut punch

Informal; usually figurative, meaning a severe emotional shock.

Commonly confused: punch in the stomach or punch line?

Practice

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