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Definitions

hit below the belt

VERB
play dirty
Synonyms
WEAK
bamboozle beguile bend the rules bilk burn caboodle chisel con deceive defraud do a number on double-cross double-deal dupe finagle fleece flimflam fudge hoodwink hose mislead pull something funny rip off rook sandbag scam screw shaft stack the cards stretch the rules sucker swindle trick victimize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But he also was denigrated as a gut fighter who hit below the belt.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2021

Athletics: C Chris Hermann left with a groin contusion after getting hit below the belt by a bounced pitch.

From Washington Times • Aug. 25, 2019

On only his second day of training camp, Lock, who reportedly was in a contract stalemate earlier this week, got verbally hit below the belt Friday by the old-school coach of the Broncos.

From Reuters • Jul. 19, 2019

Propeller, the all-male British theater troupe that routinely turns Shakespeare into a donnybrook, has never hesitated to hit below the belt.

From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2011

It was mean of Rosalind to hit below the belt like that, when she knew that she was safe.

From The Tree of Heaven by Sinclair, May