below the belt
/bɪˈloʊ ðə belt/
Meaning
The phrase 'below the belt' describes a comment, criticism, or action that is unfair, cruel, or unsporting. Originating from boxing, where hitting below the belt is illegal, it is used in casual business discussions to describe unethical competitive tactics or personal attacks. The tone is casual and expressive.
Examples
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Bringing up his past mistakes during the team meeting was a bit below the belt.
Bringing up his past mistakes during the team meeting was a bit below the belt.
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Our competitors copied our design and claimed it as theirs, which was definitely below the belt.
Our competitors copied our design and claimed it as theirs, which was definitely below the belt.
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I don't mind constructive criticism, but her personal remarks were totally below the belt.
I don't mind constructive criticism, but her personal remarks were totally below the belt.
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It was below the belt of the manager to blame the entire department for his own error.
It was below the belt of the manager to blame the entire department for his own error.
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That remark about her presentation skills felt below the belt, especially since she was nervous.
That remark about her presentation skills felt below the belt, especially since she was nervous.
Common Mistakes
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✗ His comment was under the belt.
✓ His comment was below the belt.
The idiom is fixed. You must use 'below,' not 'under' or 'beneath'.
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✗ They did a below the belt action to win the contract.
✓ They hit below the belt to win the contract.
'Below the belt' is typically used as a predicate adjective (after a verb like 'to be' or 'to hit') rather than directly preceding a noun as an attributive adjective.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Criticizing her work ethic in front of the client was really ________.
💡 Unfair and unnecessarily hurtful.
Show answer
below the belt
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The rival company's smear campaign was ________, but we decided to take the high road.
💡 An illegal or unsporting move (idiom from boxing).
Show answer
below the belt