below the belt
Hitting too low
Below the belt describes an attack that's unfair or unsportsmanlike—hitting where it hurts without regard for decency.
From boxing, where strikes below the waistline are illegal fouls.
The phrase applies to arguments, insults, or tactics that exploit vulnerabilities or cross ethical lines: Bringing up his divorce was below the belt.
That attack ad hit below the belt.
Unfair attack or remark
- dirtyNot clean
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- unsportsmanlikeContrary to athletic ethics
- foul playCriminal or violent action
cheating · sneaky · dishonest · unethical · unscrupulous · shady · crooked · dishonorable
Unfair, unsportsmanlike strike
- personal attackCriticism aimed at someone directly
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
- mean-spiritedUnkind in a petty way
- viciousCruelly aggressive in nature
cutting · wounding · malicious · spiteful · vindictive · nasty · venomous · barbed
Offensive or illegal
- low blowUnfair, unsportsmanlike strike
- groinHip-thigh junction
- kidney punchBlow to lower back
- clinchSettle beyond doubt
referee · warning · disqualification · illegal · penalized · ring · bout · round
Having no flavor
- crudeUnpolished, raw state
- vulgarCrude or indecent
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- indecentOffensive to accepted standards
improper · unseemly · off-color · crass · indelicate · uncalled-for · out of line · beyond the pale
cheap shot
Unfair attack or remark
- dirtyNot clean
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- unsportsmanlikeContrary to athletic ethics
foul play · cheating · sneaky · dishonest · unethical · unscrupulous · shady · crooked · dishonorable · misconduct
low blow
Unfair, unsportsmanlike strike
- personal attackCriticism aimed at someone directly
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
- mean-spiritedUnkind in a petty way
vicious · cutting · wounding · malicious · spiteful · vindictive · nasty · venomous · barbed · stinging
foul
Offensive or illegal
- low blowUnfair, unsportsmanlike strike
- groinHip-thigh junction
- kidney punchBlow to lower back
clinch · referee · warning · disqualification · illegal · penalized · ring · bout · round · heavyweight
tasteless
Having no flavor
indecent · improper · unseemly · off-color · crass · indelicate · uncalled-for · out of line · beyond the pale · over the line
- clothing idiomsfit like a glove, dressed to the nines, dressed to kill, wear the pants, caught with pants down
- sports idiomsdrop the ball, throw in the towel, slam dunk, out of left field, level playing field
- unfairnessunfair, unjust, biased, unequal, inequitable
- low blowscheap shot, low blow, sucker punch, dirty trick, potshot
- Cricket Idiomssticky wicket, not cricket, bowled over, stumped, on the back foot
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
below the beltfair
Impartial and unbiased
above board · fair and square · by the book · on the level · clean
below the beltaboveboard
Honest and unconcealed
honorable · decent · gentlemanly · sportsmanlike · chivalrous