a kick in the teeth

a kick in the teeth

A humiliating disappointment or setback. Losing my job after my car broke down was a real kick in the teeth.See also: kick, teeth

a kick in the teeth

a grave setback or disappointment, especially one seen as a betrayal. informal 1994 Daily Mirror The rates rise was a kick in the teeth for the housing market, which had been showing signs of recovery. See also: kick, teeth

kick in the teeth

verbSee kick in the seat of the pantsSee also: kick, teeth