Below the belt Meaning in English
expression
biˈɫoʊ/, /bɪˈɫoʊ/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈbɛɫt
bi-LOH thuh BELT
bɪlˈəʊ/ /ðə, ði/ /bˈɛlt
bi-LOH thuh BELT
Definition
If something is 'below the belt', it is unfair or cruel, especially something said or done to hurt someone personally.
Usage & Nuances
This idiom comes from boxing, where hitting 'below the belt' is illegal. It's informal; use it when someone is unfair or attacks on a personal level. Commonly paired with 'comment', 'remark', or 'move'. Can describe words or actions, not physical fighting in normal situations.
Spanish: golpe bajo - injustoPortuguese (BR): golpe baixo - injustoPortuguese (PT): golpe baixo - injustoChinese (Simplified): 不公平（攻击） - 下三滥Chinese (Traditional): 不公平（攻擊） - 下三濫Hindi: निचले स्तर का (आक्रमण) - गलतArabic: ضربة تحت الحزام - غير عادلBengali: অন্যায়ভাবে - আঘাতমূলকভাবেRussian: ниже поясаJapanese: 卑怯な - 反則なVietnamese: đòn dưới thắt lưng - chơi xấuKorean: 비열하게 - 허를 찌르게Turkish: bel altı - haksızcaUrdu: گھٹیا - ذاتی حملہIndonesian: di bawah ikat pinggang - tidak adil
Example Sentences
Calling her lazy was below the belt.
basic
That joke about my family was below the belt.
basic
His comment was really below the belt.
basic
Whoa, that was a bit below the belt—why did you say that?
natural
Some people go below the belt just to win an argument.
natural
Come on, that was below the belt—let's keep it fair.
natural