Below the belt

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Mainly used in combat sports such as boxing and kickboxing, below the belt refers to all the area of the body that lies below the line of the opponent's navel,^[1] including the genital area, legs, and crotch. In these sports, as in many others, punches must not be struck below the opponent's navel, as it is deemed unfair and contrary to sportsmanship.

The expression is also used figuratively in to describe anything which is considered abusive, excessively hurtful, or plainly unfair.

References

Boxing terminology
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Terms	The distance Weight class Pound for pound Lineal championship Cutman Gatekeeper Journeyman Long Count Outpoint Punching power Punch-out
Punches	Jab Cross Hook (Swing) Uppercut Overhand Counterpunch (Cross-counter) Bolo punch Short straight-punch Rabbit punch Liver shot Below the belt
Styles and technique	Bob and weave Bobbing Head fake Slipping One-two combo Check hook Peek-a-Boo Rope-a-dope Footwork Orthodox stance Southpaw stance
Related articles	Boxing training Boxing glove Boxing ring BoxRec Compubox Chess boxing International Boxing Hall of Fame List of boxing families Tent boxing Dementia pugilistica Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act Bare-knuckle boxing
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