knock the wind out of (one)

knock the wind out of (one)

To cause one's diaphragm to spasm and contract following a sudden force or impact, resulting in a temporary inability to breathe properly. A: "I heard you got knocked off your bicycle by a car earlier. Are you OK?" B: "Yes, thankfully all it did was knock the wind out of me." I punched him in the gut and knocked the wind out of him.
See also: knock, of, out, wind
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • get the wind knocked out of (one)
  • to save (one's) life
  • to save life
  • a crick in (one's) neck
  • crick in neck
  • come up for air
  • crick
  • crick in back
  • a crick in (one's) back
  • (from) top to toe