fight dirty
Below the belt
To fight dirty is to use unfair, underhanded, or unsportsmanlike tactics to gain an advantage in a conflict.
The phrase originated in combat sports, where it describes illegal moves like eye gouging or hitting below the belt, but extends readily to any competitive situation: Politicians who fight dirty spread rumors about their opponents.
The implication is that someone has abandoned accepted rules of engagement in favor of winning by any means necessary.
Unfair attack or remark
- low blowUnfair, unsportsmanlike strike
- sucker punchUnanticipated strike without warning
- below the beltUnfair and unsportsmanlike
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
eye gouge · rabbit punch · hair pulling · headbutt · biting · scratching · illegal move · groin kick
Ropes controlling ship sails
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- foul playCriminal or violent action
- stacking the deckArranging cards dishonestly beforehand
- foreign objectItem where it shouldn't be
brass knuckles · greasing · doctoring · tampering · marked cards
Deliberate deception or fraud
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
scheming · duplicity · feint · misdirection · distraction · luring · baiting · playing dead
Secretly dishonest or unfair
- dishonorableLacking integrity or ethics
- unsportsmanlikeContrary to athletic ethics
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
- cutthroatViciously competitive or murderous
no-holds-barred · win at all costs · ends justify means · anything goes · unscrupulous · sleazy · shady · crooked
cheap shot
Unfair attack or remark
- low blowUnfair, unsportsmanlike strike
- sucker punchUnanticipated strike without warning
- below the beltUnfair and unsportsmanlike
backstabbing · eye gouge · rabbit punch · hair pulling · headbutt · biting · scratching · illegal move · groin kick · blindside
rigging
Ropes controlling ship sails
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- foul playCriminal or violent action
- stacking the deckArranging cards dishonestly beforehand
foreign object · brass knuckles · greasing · doctoring · tampering · marked cards
trickery
Deliberate deception or fraud
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
manipulation · scheming · duplicity · feint · misdirection · distraction · luring · baiting · playing dead · fake injury
underhanded
Secretly dishonest or unfair
- dishonorableLacking integrity or ethics
- unsportsmanlikeContrary to athletic ethics
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
cutthroat · no-holds-barred · win at all costs · ends justify means · anything goes · unscrupulous · sleazy · shady · crooked · corrupt
- dirty tacticsfoul play, cheap shot, low blow, hit below the belt, cheat
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout