glancing blow

Frequency: 6.02.5 per million words

a blow that strikes a surface at an angle and does not land squarely

glancingADJECTIVE + NOUN

Categories:

blow

Examples (10)

  • The boxer landed a glancing blow that skimmed his opponent’s cheek.
  • The car took a glancing blow from the truck and spun to a stop.
  • Her sword delivered a glancing blow, deflecting off the armor.
  • The meteor hit the atmosphere with a glancing blow, shedding a bright trail.
  • He only managed a glancing blow, so the target barely moved.
  • The door took a glancing blow from the cart, leaving just a scratch.
  • A glancing blow from the hockey puck ricocheted off the goalpost.
  • The shield absorbed a glancing blow, but the next strike landed squarely.
  • Had it been more than a glancing blow, the hull would have ruptured.
  • Was that only a glancing blow, or did it connect cleanly?