BELOW THE BELT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does below the belt mean? 

• BELOW THE BELT (adjective)
  The adjective BELOW THE BELT has 1 sense:

1. disregarding the rules (from the notion of an illegal low blow in boxing)

  Familiarity information: BELOW THE BELT used as an adjective is very rare.

• BELOW THE BELT (adverb)
  The adverb BELOW THE BELT has 1 sense:

1. in an unfair manner

  Familiarity information: BELOW THE BELT used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BELOW THE BELT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Disregarding the rules (from the notion of an illegal low blow in boxing)

Context example:

her accusations were below the belt

Similar:

unfair; unjust (not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception)

Domain category:

boxing; fisticuffs; pugilism (fighting with the fists)

• BELOW THE BELT (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In an unfair manner

Synonyms:

below the belt; unfairly

Context example:

their accusations hit below the belt

 Context examples 

One afternoon, after twenty minutes of desperate efforts to annihilate each other according to set rules that did not permit kicking, striking below the belt, nor hitting when one was down, Cheese-Face, panting for breath and reeling, offered to call it quits.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)