low blow
Underhanded cheap shot
A low blow is literally a punch below the belt in boxing—illegal and painful.
Figuratively, it's any unfair attack that exploits someone's vulnerabilities or violates unwritten rules of fair engagement: Bringing up his bankruptcy during the debate was a low blow.
The phrase implies the attacker knew the strike was illegitimate.
Unfair attack or remark
- foulOffensive or illegal
- dirty trickUnderhanded deceptive maneuver
- unsportsmanlikeContrary to athletic ethics
- sucker punchUnanticipated strike without warning
illegal move · foul play · rabbit punch · late hit · flagrant foul · underhanded · unethical · dirty pool
Hurtful pointed comment
- personal attackCriticism aimed at someone directly
- digUnearth by shoveling
- jabQuick, straight blow
- stabPierce with point
wound · sting · barb · zinger · painful · cruel · vicious · mean-spirited
Betray someone's trust
- stab in the backTreachery against an ally
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- selloutCompromiser of integrity
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
disloyalty · breach of trust · bad faith · snake · turncoat · two-faced · duplicity · undermining
Blow to lower back
- point deductionSubtraction from total score
- disqualificationRemoval from eligibility
- prizefightProfessional boxing match
- Queensberry rulesFormal boxing regulations
cheap shot
Unfair attack or remark
- foulOffensive or illegal
- dirty trickUnderhanded deceptive maneuver
- unsportsmanlikeContrary to athletic ethics
sucker punch · illegal move · foul play · rabbit punch · late hit · flagrant foul · underhanded · unethical · dirty pool · bush league
cutting remark
Hurtful pointed comment
- personal attackCriticism aimed at someone directly
- digUnearth by shoveling
- jabQuick, straight blow
stab · wound · sting · barb · zinger · painful · cruel · vicious · mean-spirited · spiteful
backstab
Betray someone's trust
- stab in the backTreachery against an ally
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- selloutCompromiser of integrity
treachery · disloyalty · breach of trust · bad faith · snake · turncoat · two-faced · duplicity · undermining · sabotage
kidney punch
Blow to lower back
- point deductionSubtraction from total score
- disqualificationRemoval from eligibility
- prizefightProfessional boxing match
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- dirty trickscheating, lying, deceit, trickery, deception
- sports infractionsfoul, violation, red card, ejection, disqualification
- tauntstaunts, taunt, taunting, neener neener, insults
- unfairnessunfair, unjust, biased, unequal, inequitable
low blowfair play
Honorable conduct in games
above board · sportsmanship · level playing field · by the book · square deal
low blowkindness
Considerate, caring disposition
compliment · good deed · act of grace · magnanimity · mercy
low, blow, allow, lower, below, blown, lowest, lowered, lowering