What is the meaning of to hit below the belt?

What is the meaning of to hit below the belt?

See synonyms for hit below the belt on Thesaurus.com. To say something that is often too personal, usually irrelevant, and always unfair: “To remind reformed alcoholics of their drinking problem is to hit below the belt.” The expression comes from boxing, in which it is illegal to hit an opponent below the belt.

What does no hitting below the belt mean?

In any incarnation, hitting below the belt means using information that is not meant for public consumption or taking advantage of temporary weaknesses to crush an opponent. With the former, the strategies involves make ethical use of information that is in the public domain and readily available to others.

What is below the belt tactics?

Below the belt and hit below the belt both mean a tactic that is unfair or underhanded, a tactic that disregards the rules. The terms below the belt and hit below the belt were first used in the United States in the 1850s, taken from the sport of boxing.

What’s the meaning of self assertive?

: very confident and willing to express opinions.

How do you hit below the belt?

To unfairly target another person’s weakness or vulnerability. The phrase refers to boxing, in which hitting an opponent below the waist is unacceptable. I know she really wants the promotion, but she hit below the belt when she told the boss about my personal problems.

What means lose heart?

Definition of lose heart : to begin to feel that one cannot do something that one has been trying to do : to become discouraged They never lost heart, even in the face of adversity.

What is the meaning of beside the point?

Also, beside the mark or question. Irrelevant, off the subject. For example, Whether you had insurance is beside the point; the accident is your fault. These terms came into common use in the mid-1800s.

What does it mean by monkey business?

monkey business. Silly, mischievous, or deceitful conduct, as in The teacher told the children to cut out the monkey business and get to work, or I don’t trust that lawyer—there’s some monkey business going on. This expression transfers the tricks of monkeys to human behavior. [ Late 1800s]

What is sympathetic?

English Language Learners Definition of sympathetic : feeling or showing concern about someone who is in a bad situation : having or showing feelings of sympathy. : having or showing support for or approval of something. : having pleasant or appealing qualities : causing feelings of sympathy.

What is the meaning of over optimistic?

adjective. (also overoptimistic) us. too hopeful, or too ready to believe that good things will happen in the future: He fears that analysts are being over-optimistic about future company earnings.

What happens if you hit below the belt in boxing?

Boxers cannot duck so low that their head is below their opponent’s waist or belt line. You must take a full step back when the referee breaks you from a clinch. It is then illegal to immediately hit your opponent (called hitting on the break). A boxer who gets knocked down cannot get saved by the bell in any round.

What does “low blow” or “hit below the belt” mean?

Sometimes, a person might say that something was a “low blow” or a “hit below the belt.” Usually, this means that something was said that is inappropriate, unfair, or uncalled for. How did this saying acquire such a meaning and where did it come from?

What does it mean when someone says something below the belt?

If someone says something that is below the belt, they say something cruel and unfair. He made a joke about her divorce which I thought was a bit below the belt. Note: In boxing, it is against the rules to hit an opponent below the level of their belt.

What is the origin of the term hit in boxing?

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. See also: below, hit

Is it OK to hit someone under the belt in boxing?

Since this type of behavior is against the rules, if a boxer were to literally hit their opponent under the waist, such an action would be seen as inappropriate. Similarly, if a person’s words are seen as insulting or inappropriate, they can be described as figuratively hitting someone “below the belt.”