Example
“The loss of its main sponsor was a body blow to the community theater.”
Dictionary details
Tags
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
blow someone's cover
CEFR B2to expose what someone has kept secret, such as their identity or scheme
blow someone's mind
CEFR B2to astonish someone with something highly surprising or impressive
over my dead body
CEFR B2a forceful refusal meaning that something will never be allowed
back to square one
CEFR B2to return to the beginning of a task after an attempt has failed
break the back of
CEFR B2to get past the main obstacle so that the remaining work becomes easier
dig deep
CEFR B2draw on all one's effort or inner resources to overcome a challenge
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.