below the belt

not fair That new advertisement really hits below the belt.

Usage notes: often used with hit, as in the example

Etymology: based on the idea of hitting someone below the belt in boxing, which is against the rules

Not according to the rules; unfairly.

Name	Pronounced	Usage
NainsÍ	-	Irish
Cuthbert	KUTH-burt	English (Rare)
Nellie	['neli]
Sophocles	SAHF-u-kleez (English)	Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Ouida	-	Various
Gobinda	-	Bengali