below the belt
below the belt
Meaning
- to be mean and unfair (in a fight)
- to not have regards for the rules that have been set out in order to ensure that the fight stays fair
- cruel, unjust or unacceptable
- something that is unwarranted and unnecessarily brought up
- to be unreasonable, unjustifiable and out of turn
Example Sentences
- The shot that he took at him was completely below the belt. Decent people do not compete like this.
- I do not believe in fighting below the belt. The dignity of a fight is lost when people do that.
- At the time of the divorce proceedings they were both taking shots below the belt. It was embarrassing to even witness it.
- Maria always fights below the belt. That is the reason no one in the society likes to argue with her.
- I saw a street fight today and apparently even they have rules against fighting below the belt.
- Ahead of the elections, politicians won't hesitate to aim below the belt.
Origin
The portion below the belt of a man is considered sensitive and taking a hit at it is socially unacceptable. In formal fights there are rules about hitting someone below the belt. This literal translation became a metaphor for fighting in an unfair, even dirty manner.