What is the meaning and origin of ‘hitting below the belt’?
When you hit someone below the belt, you are being rather cruel or unfair; you are not playing by the rules of the game. You are using unfair means to get what you want, and in the process you deliberately hurt the other person.
*Making fun of the poor woman’s dead husband was definitely hitting below the belt.
The expression comes from the world of boxing. According to the Marquis of Queensbury Rules, a boxer is allowed to hit his opponent only on the upper body or the head. He is not allowed to hit below the waist belt.
When you hit someone below the belt, you are being rather cruel or unfair; you are not playing by the rules of the game. You are using unfair means to get what you want, and in the process you deliberately hurt the other person.
*Making fun of the poor woman’s dead husband was definitely hitting below the belt.
The expression comes from the world of boxing. According to the Marquis of Queensbury Rules, a boxer is allowed to hit his opponent only on the upper body or the head. He is not allowed to hit below the waist belt.
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