under (one's) belt
under (one's) belt
1. In one's scope of experience. Once you get a few more major league games under your belt, you'll feel more comfortable.
2. Ingested or consumed. He should be less cranky after he gets some food under his belt.
See also: belt
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
*under one's belt
1. Fig. eaten or drunk and in one's stomach. (Fig. on the image of swallowed food ending up under one's belt. *Typically: get something ~; have something ~.) I need to have something filling under my belt. I've had it with just soup. I want to get a nice juicy steak under my belt.
2. Fig. achieved; counted or scored. (Fig. on {2} *Typically: have something ~.) Minnie has over four hundred wins under his belt. This fighter pilot has over 20 kills under his belt.
3. Fig. learned; mastered. (Fig. on {2}. *Typically: get something ~.) Finally, she got good painting techniques under her belt. When I get the right procedures under my belt, I will be more efficient.
See also: belt
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
under one's belt
Experienced or achieved, as in Once a medical student has anatomy under her belt, she'll have much less to memorize. This metaphoric expression likens food that has been consumed to an experience that has been digested. [Colloquial; first half of 1800s]
See also: belt
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
under your belt
COMMON If you have something under your belt, you have already achieved it. He'll need a few more games under his belt before he's ready for international football. Today, with the Nobel Peace Prize under her belt, she is a stateswoman of world renown.
See also: belt
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
under your belt
1 (of food or drink) consumed. 2 safely or satisfactorily achieved, experienced, or acquired.See also: belt
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
under your ˈbelt
already achieved and so making you feel more confident: With ten years’ experience under his belt, Mark was ready to start his own business.See also: belt
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
under (one's) belt
In one's possession or experience: "By his mid-teens, Liszt had three years of intensive concertizing under his belt" (Musical Heritage Review).
See also: belt
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
under one's belt
A successful past experience. The term alludes to food that has been consumed, likening it to experience that has been digested. P. G. Wodehouse used it figuratively (Encounter, 1954): “Just as you have got Hamlet and Macbeth under your belt.”
See also: belt
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- under belt
- under one's belt
- under your belt
- (one's) day in court
- be, live, etc. in a world of your own
- get into a world of (one's) own
- in (one's) own (little) world
- in a world of own
- in one's own world
- live in a world of (one's) own