underbellies

Soft spots beneath

Underbellies is the plural of underbelly—the soft underside of an animal, and by extension, any vulnerable or hidden part.

The underbelly of a city or organization is its seamy, corrupt, or criminal aspect: The documentary exposed the underbelly of the fashion industry.

These neighborhoods reveal the underbellies of American cities.

anatomy

abdomen

Torso's lower cavity

undercarriageFramework beneath a vehicle
underneathIn position below
lowerReduce or move downward

ventral · stomach · torso · midsection · thorax · flanks · underbody · undersurface · nether · inferior

hidden

seedy

Rundown and disreputable

sordidMorally foul or base
shadowyObscured by darkness
murkyDark and unclear

illicit · underground · underworld · clandestine · covert · secretive · concealed · obscured · veiled · unseen

vulnerability

exposed

Out in open

unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
defenselessWithout means to resist
susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed

weak · soft · tender · fragile · unguarded · unarmored · assailable · penetrable · at-risk · precarious

corruption

seamy

Squalid and disreputable

viceBad habit or deputy
crimePunishable illegal act
exploitationSelfish use of others

trafficking · graft · rackets · sleaze · depravity · degeneracy · debauchery · squalor · criminal · syndicate

Opposites

anatomical position

underbelliesbacks

Rear surfaces or supports

topsides · crowns · spines · heads · shoulders

protection/vulnerability

underbelliesshells

Protective outer layers

carapaces · exoskeletons · armor plating · shields · scales

METAPHORICAL EXPOSURE (hidden vs. visible aspects)

underbelliesfacades

Misleading external appearances

veneers · fronts · public images · shop windows · showpieces

Phrases

soft underbelliesUnprotected vulnerable points

Family

belly, underside, bellies, bellying, underbelly, undersides

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG