Used figuratively to mean a minor defeat, setback, or humiliation — especially one that causes damage without being decisive. The phrase implies the injured party has been hurt but not finished off. Common in political journalism and sports commentary when describing a narrow loss or a significant rebuff that falls short of total defeat.
The by-election result gave the governing party a bloody nose without threatening their overall majority.
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(colloquial) A minor defeat.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.