below the belt
/bɪˌləʊ ðə ˈbelt/INFORMAL · C1
Meaning
unfair and cruel, especially of a remark
Examples
- 1Mentioning his failed business in front of his kids was a bit below the belt.
- 2I know you're angry, but that comment about her weight was below the belt.
- 3Calling Leo lazy in front of the whole team, when he'd been ill for weeks, was really below the belt.
- 4Was it below the belt to bring up his old exam results in the middle of an argument?
- 5Posting her old diary online felt below the belt, even for a younger brother.
Grammar
Usually after be or feel, or after hit someone. The phrase itself does not change.
More idioms about sports
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →drop the ballto make a mistake by failing to deal with somethingpar for the coursewhat is normal or expected, usually something badneck and neckexactly level in a competitiona game changersomething that transforms how things are doneout of your leaguenot good or skilled enough compared with otherssaved by the bellrescued from an awkward moment just before it gets worse
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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