kick in the guts

a kick in the guts

1. A thoroughly devastating or disappointing setback or failure. Losing the championship match was a real kick in the guts, but I knew I just had to train even harder and try again next year.
2. A harsh punishment (or remedy) for acting foolishly or malevolently. Usually used in the form "someone needs a kick in the guts," or similar. Tim needs a kick in the guts for passing up such a fantastic job opportunity. Whoever has been spreading rumors about Cathy deserves a kick in the guts!
See also: gut, kick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

kick in the guts

Sl. a severe blow to one's body or spirit. The news was a kick in the guts, and I haven't recovered yet. I didn't need a kick in the guts like that.
See also: gut, kick
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

kick in the guts

n. a severe blow to one’s body or spirit. The news was a kick in the guts, and I haven’t recovered yet.
See also: gut, kick
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a kick in the guts
  • garter
  • have (one's) guts for garters
  • have somebody's guts for garters
  • have someone's guts for garters
  • guzzle-guts
  • have the guts
  • have the guts (to do something)
  • blubber gut(s)
  • blubber guts
References in periodicals archive
"It was really win or bust for us and to lose like that was just a massive kick in the guts really.
We must deliver that final Test victory - Dan
Brisbane, July 6(ANI): Australian all-rounder Cameron White has described his omission from the 14-man squad for next month's ODI series against Sri Lanka as a "kick in the guts".
It's definitely a kick in the guts," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted White, as saying.
Axing from Oz team for Sri Lanka ODI series 'kick in the guts': Cameron White