THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Below the belt
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Unfair and insulting, especially in a personal remark during an argument.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Mocking her accent during the debate was below the belt.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
Mocking her accent during the debate was ________.
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Below the belt — Unfair and insulting, especially in a personal remark during an argument.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Below the belt” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
Unfair and insulting, especially in a personal remark during an argument.
Compare: Mocking her accent during the debate was below the belt.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this informally to object to a comment that attacks someone unfairly. It is stronger than simply saying you disagree.
More examples in context
- His comment about my family felt below the belt.
- You can challenge my plan, but that personal insult was below the belt.
Usage note
Use it to describe unfair personal attacks, not every criticism. “Hit below the belt” is a related verb phrase.
A short conversation
A: I said your idea needed work, and you mocked my appearance.
B: You are right. That was below the belt.
A: Let us discuss the idea respectfully.
One more practice question
Which comment is below the belt?
A. An unrelated personal insult during a discussion about a work plan.
B. A respectful explanation of a calculation error.
Check your answer
A. The personal insult is unfair and irrelevant to the plan.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.