beneath

beneath (someone or something)

1. In a physically lower position than someone or something. A: "Where are your towels?" B: "They're beneath the bed linens in the closet next to the bathroom." You'll be sleeping in the bunk beneath your brother.
2. Of a lower rank or position than someone or something else. Remember that you are beneath me in the hierarchy of power, Corporal. So you would do well to watch your tone of voice. She couldn't stand being beneath Tom after his promotion. He was just so infuriatingly arrogant about it.
3. Unsuitable to someone's or something's rank, dignity, or moral upbringing. He felt it was beneath someone of his royal lineage to associate with commoners. I knew there had to be someone acting on their own. Such a despicable act is beneath even a greedy company like FlemCo. Don't get drawn into such a petty fight with the likes of him, Tom. It's beneath you.
See also: beneath
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*beneath something

under something. (*Typically: be ~; sit ~.) What is that beneath the table? The cat is beneath the piano.

beneath someone

too shameful for a polite person to do. That kind of thing is beneath Fred. I'm appalled that he did it. That sort of foul language is beneath you!
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See:
  • below the surface
  • below/beneath the surface
  • beneath
  • beneath (one's) dignity
  • beneath (someone or something)
  • beneath (the/someone's) radar
  • beneath contempt
  • beneath dignity
  • beneath somebody's dignity
  • beneath the salt
  • beneath the surface
  • beneath your dignity
  • drop beneath the/(one's) radar
  • fall beneath
  • fall beneath (something)
  • feel it beneath
  • feel it beneath (one) to (do something)
  • fly beneath (the/someone's) radar
  • let the grass grow beneath (one's) feet
  • look beneath the surface
  • marry below oneself
  • marry beneath (one's) station
  • marry beneath (oneself)
  • not let the grass grow beneath (one's) feet
  • pin (someone or something) beneath (someone or something)
  • pin beneath
  • sit beneath the salt
  • slip beneath the/(one's) radar
  • work beneath (someone or something)
References in classic literature
He had just time to judge his location roughly at some place south-west of Helium, and at a considerable distance from the twin cities, when he was startled by a woman's scream beneath him.
Thuvia Maid of Mars
Cautiously he moved in the direction from which it emanated, presently coming upon a huge panther pinned beneath a fallen tree.
The Beasts of Tarzan
Instead I stopped close to the opposite wall beneath an overhanging mass of rock that cast a dense shadow beneath it.
Warlord of Mars
So little Tarzan wriggled out from beneath the struggling mass, clutching his grisly prize close to his breast.
Tarzan of the Apes
Teeka had come close beneath the tree and was peering upward.
Jungle Tales of Tarzan
Again and again she could have sworn that she felt some huge, slimy body sweep beneath her in the mysterious waters of this unknown river.
The Monster Men
They had simply vanished into thin air, for the native he had sent to inspect the ground beneath the open window had just returned to report that there was no sign of a footstep there, and what sort of creatures were they who could have dropped that distance to the soft turf without leaving spoor?
Son Of Tarzan
Gahan felt the impact of a body against the keel, followed by the soft thuds of the great bodies as they struck the ground beneath. His act had not been an instant too soon.
The Chessmen of Mars
His haversack he rolled as tightly as possible and stuffed beneath his coat over his breast.
Out of Times Abyss
At length I found, as it were, a crack in the stone thrice as wide as a man can jump, and in length half a spear's throw, and near this crack stood great stones blackened by fire, and beneath them broken pots and a knife of flint.
Nada The Lily
Reaching out my arms, I took my boy within them, and if ever there arose from any planet a fervent prayer of gratitude, it was there beneath the crust of dying Mars as I thanked the Eternal Mystery for my son's life.
The Gods of Mars
The healthy, strong-made man, who could have borne almost any fatigue of active exertion, was wasting beneath the close confinement and unhealthy atmosphere of a crowded prison.
The Posthumous Papers Of The Pickwick Club
We can choose a certain date from among them--the one to draw this date first from beneath a piece of cloth will be the first."
The Return of Tarzan
My brain grew dizzy with the idea of the frightful risk I had just run, and I involuntarily closed my eyes to shut out the view of the depth beneath me.
Typee
The noise appeared to be coming from beneath the rug.
Pellucidar