How do you use "Below the belt" in a sentence?

That comment was really below the belt. Attacking his family is below the belt. That was a below-the-belt move.

Below the belt

Q: What does "Below the belt" mean?

Unfair or unsporting; a mean or underhanded action. From boxing—hitting below the belt is a foul. Used for any action that's unfairly hurtful or against the rules of fair play.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Unfair or unsporting; a mean or underhanded action.

不公平的，卑鄙的，暗箭伤人的行为。

Injusto o antideportivo; una acción mezquina o rastrera.

アンフェアな、卑怯な、汚い手を使った行為。

비열한, 비겁한, 반칙적인 행위

From boxing—hitting below the belt is a foul. Used for any action that's unfairly hurtful or against the rules of fair play.

源自拳击——击打腰带以下是犯规。用于描述任何不公平伤人或违反公平竞争规则的行为。

Del boxeo—golpear por debajo del cinturón es falta. Se usa para cualquier acción injustamente hiriente o contraria a las reglas del juego limpio.

ボクシング由来の表現。ベルトより下を打つのは反則。不当に傷つける行為やフェアプレーに反する行為に使われる。

권투에서 유래—벨트 아래를 치는 것은 반칙이다. 정당하지 않게 상대를 해치는 모든 행위에 쓰인다.

Literal meaning: Hitting below the waist in boxing

Examples

That comment was really below the belt.
那个评论真的太卑鄙了
Ese comentario fue realmente un golpe bajo
あのコメントは本当に卑怯だった
그 발언은 정말 비열했다.
Attacking his family is below the belt.
攻击他的家人是不道德的
Atacar a su familia es un golpe bajo
彼の家族を攻撃するのは卑怯だ
그의 가족을 공격하는 것은 비겁하다.
That was a below-the-belt move.
那是一个卑鄙的举动
Eso fue un movimiento sucio
それは汚い手だった
그건 비열한 수법이었다.

Pronunciation

/bɪˈləʊ ðə belt/

Usage Guide

Context: unfairness, meanness, arguments

Tone: disapproving, hurt

✓ Do Say

That's below the belt.
那太不公平了
Eso es un golpe bajo
それは卑怯だよ
그건 비열해
Below-the-belt attack.
卑鄙的攻击
Un ataque bajo
卑劣な攻撃
비열한 공격
Hit below the belt.
打击要害
Dar un golpe bajo
急所を突く
급소를 찌르다

✗ Don't Say

Unfair
Unfair（不公平）
Unfair（injusto）
Unfair（アンフェア）
Unfair（불공정한）
Mean
Mean（刻薄）
Mean（cruel）
Mean（意地悪）
Mean（비열한）

Common Mistakes

Boxing origin
Implies deliberate unfairness

Origin & History

From boxing—hitting below the belt (below the waist) is illegal.

Etymology: Boxing slang, 19th century

First recorded: Late 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Boxing; Political debates

Regional notes: Universal English expression from boxing.

Variations

Below the beltBelow-the-beltHit below the belt