3blow noun
plural blows [count] 1 : a hard hit using a part of the body or an object
▪ He delivered a mighty blow with a club. ▪ a blow with a hammer = a hammer blow ▪ I caught/got him with a heavy blow in the third round. = I landed a heavy blow on him in the third round. ▪ The two boxers exchanged blows. [=hit each other] ▪ The boxer rained blows on his opponent's head. [=the boxer hit his opponent's head many times] ▪ The falling tile struck him with a glancing blow on the head. [=hit his head with less than full force and fell off to one side] — see also body blow, low blow 2 a : something that is done to fight for or against something
▪ They struck a blow for freedom and against tyranny. [=they did something that helped freedom and opposed tyranny]
b : a sudden event that causes trouble, damage, sorrow, etc.
▪ Hopes of peace received a mortal blow when negotiations were blocked. ▪ The injury to their best player was a serious blow to the team's chances. [=the injury did serious harm to the team's chances] ▪ The death of his wife was a terrible/shattering blow from which he never really recovered. ▪ She was disappointed not to get the job, but the promise of another job cushioned/softened the blow. [=the promise of another job made her disappointment less painful or severe]
▪ He delivered a mighty blow with a club. ▪ a blow with a hammer = a hammer blow ▪ I caught/got him with a heavy blow in the third round. = I landed a heavy blow on him in the third round. ▪ The two boxers exchanged blows. [=hit each other] ▪ The boxer rained blows on his opponent's head. [=the boxer hit his opponent's head many times] ▪ The falling tile struck him with a glancing blow on the head. [=hit his head with less than full force and fell off to one side] — see also body blow, low blow
▪ They struck a blow for freedom and against tyranny. [=they did something that helped freedom and opposed tyranny]
b : a sudden event that causes trouble, damage, sorrow, etc.
▪ Hopes of peace received a mortal blow when negotiations were blocked. ▪ The injury to their best player was a serious blow to the team's chances. [=the injury did serious harm to the team's chances] ▪ The death of his wife was a terrible/shattering blow from which he never really recovered. ▪ She was disappointed not to get the job, but the promise of another job cushioned/softened the blow. [=the promise of another job made her disappointment less painful or severe]
come to blows
: to begin fighting : to begin hitting each other
▪ They almost came to blows during their argument.
▪ They almost came to blows during their argument.
deal a blow — see 1deal
— compare 2blow
