below the belt

belt  (blt)

n.

1.

a. A flexible band, as of leather or cloth, worn around the waist to support clothing, secure tools or weapons, or serve as decoration.

b. Something that resembles this type of band: a belt of trees.

2. An encircling route.

3. A seat belt or safety belt.

4. A continuous band or chain for transferring motion or power or conveying materials from one wheel or shaft to another.

5. A band of tough reinforcing material beneath the tread of a tire.

6. A geographic region that is distinctive in a specific respect: "This is America's rural poverty belt" (Charles Kuralt).

7. Slang A powerful blow; a wallop.

8. Slang A strong emotional reaction.

9. Slang A drink of hard liquor.

tr.v. belt·ed, belt·ing, belts

1. To encircle; gird.

2. To support or attach with or as if with a belt: belt one's trousers; belted the sword to her waist.

3. To mark with or as if with an encircling band.

4. To beat with a belt or strap.

5. Slang To strike forcefully; hit.

6. Slang To sing in a loud and forceful manner: belt out a song.

7. Slang To swig (an alcoholic beverage).

Idioms:

below the belt

Not according to the rules; unfairly.

tighten (one's) belt

To begin to exercise thrift and frugality.

under (one's) belt

In one's possession or experience: "By his mid-teens, Liszt had three years of intensive concertizing under his belt" (Musical Heritage Review).

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[Middle English, from Old English, ultimately from Latin balteus.]

Thesaurus

Adj.	1.	below the belt - disregarding the rules (from the notion of an illegal low blow in boxing); "her accusations were below the belt" boxing, pugilism, fisticuffs - fighting with the fists unfair, unjust - not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception; "used unfair methods"; "it was an unfair trial"; "took an unfair advantage"
Adv.	1.	below the belt - in an unfair manner; "they dealt with him unfairly"; "their accusations hit below the belt" unfairly