low blows
Hits below belt
Low blows are unfair attacks, especially personal remarks that exploit someone's vulnerabilities or sensitive topics: Bringing up his bankruptcy was a low blow.
The phrase comes from boxing, where punches below the belt are illegal.
A single instance is a low blow: That comment about her weight was a real low blow.
Illegal strike to skull base
- kidney punchBlow to lower back
- headbuttCranial impact strike
- eye gougeAttack on visual organs
- below the beltUnfair and unsportsmanlike
cheap shot · sucker punch · late hit · cup check · nutshot · back of head
Unscrupulous competitive sabotage
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- exploitationSelfish use of others
sabotage · manipulation · treachery · double-dealing · foul play · scheming · conniving · skulduggery
Criticism aimed at someone directly
- cheap shotUnfair attack or remark
- digUnearth by shoveling
- jabQuick, straight blow
- barbBackward-pointing spike
snipe · cutting remark · verbal attack · character assassination · mudslinging · name-calling · slur · taunt
Contrary to athletic ethics
- foulOffensive or illegal
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- violationBreaking of rules
- disqualificationRemoval from eligibility
point deduction · warning · referee · misconduct · ejection · suspension · yellow card · flagrant foul
rabbit punch
Illegal strike to skull base
- kidney punchBlow to lower back
- headbuttCranial impact strike
- eye gougeAttack on visual organs
below the belt · cheap shot · sucker punch · late hit · cup check · nutshot · back of head
dirty tricks
Unscrupulous competitive sabotage
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- betrayalBreaking of trust
exploitation · sabotage · manipulation · treachery · double-dealing · foul play · scheming · conniving · skulduggery · taking advantage
personal attack
Criticism aimed at someone directly
- cheap shotUnfair attack or remark
- digUnearth by shoveling
- jabQuick, straight blow
barb · snipe · cutting remark · verbal attack · character assassination · mudslinging · name-calling · slur · taunt · put-down
unsportsmanlike
Contrary to athletic ethics
disqualification · point deduction · warning · referee · misconduct · ejection · suspension · yellow card · flagrant foul · technical foul
low blowsfair play
Honorable conduct in games
sportsmanship · gentleman's agreement · chivalry · gentlemanly conduct · good sportsmanship
low blowshigh road
Elevated moral approach
constructive criticism · intellectual honesty · civil discourse · reasoned argument
low, blow, lows, blows, lower, lowest, lowly, lowness, lowered