below the belt

Are you using the idiom below the belt but not sure about its meaning? Using idioms, which are important elements of spoken and written language, in the right place strengthens your language skills. Examine the meaning of the below the belt idiom and the situations in which it is used.

Meaning of "below the belt"

Meaning

The idiom ‘below the belt’ is used to refer to an act or remark that is unjustly harsh or unfair, usually because it aims to hurt or injure the target through intentionally-inflicted pain. In boxing, this phrase originally referred to punches that were made below the ‘waistline’, which is considered a foul move and is illegal in boxing matches. The phrase is now widely used by people outside of the boxing world to indicate any type of unfair or unethical behavior.

Etymology

The phrase ‘below the belt’ first appeared in the late 19th century, although in a slightly different form. The original phrase was ‘below the buckle’ and it was used to refer to the act of grabbing someone’s belt in order to gain leverage in a fight. This was deemed illegal by boxing referees and the phrase eventually morphed into ‘below the belt’ and began to be used to refer to any type of unfair or illegal move.

Usage

The phrase ‘below the belt’ is now used on a regular basis to refer to any act or remark that is overly harsh or unfair. In most cases, the phrase is used to describe deliberate hurtful behavior, such as personal attacks or insults. It can also be used to describe physical exchanges, such as a punch or a kick below the waistline.

Example Sentences

• I can’t believe that he just said that! His comment was way below the belt.
• She tried to kick him below the belt and the referee immediately disqualified her from the match.
• I don’t want to stoop to his level and make a below the belt comment about him – it isn’t worth it.

Idioms have a common language

"The early bird catches the worm" is an English idiom that means that those who wake up early and start their day early are more likely to succeed. A similar idiom in Spanish is "El que madruga, Dios le ayuda," which translates to "God helps those who rise early." This idiom emphasizes the importance of starting the day early in order to achieve success.