below the belt, hit


Not behave according to the rules or decency, unfairly, as in Bringing up my mother's faults—that's really hitting below the belt. The term comes from boxing, where according to the Marquis of Queensberry Rules (1865) a fighter may punch his opponent only in the upper body or head. For a synonym, see low blow; also see under one's belt.

Words nearby below the belt, hit