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  What it means

  Literally “below the belt,” this idiom refers to a remark or action that is considered unfair, cruel, or “too personal.” It is used when someone uses a sensitive piece of information to hurt another person during an argument. Just like in sports, it signifies that a certain unspoken rule of “fair play” has been broken.

  Vocabulary

  • poniżej — below / underneath
  • pas — belt / waist
  • nieuczciwy — unfair

  Grammar note

  The adverb 'poniżej' always requires the following noun to be in the genitive case, which is why 'pas' becomes 'pasa'. It functions as an adjective describing a "low blow" or an "unfair move."

  Cultural context

  This idiom is a direct loan from boxing terminology and is used identically to its English counterpart. It is very common in political commentary and interpersonal conflicts.

  Beginner

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