beltline
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below the belt
An idiom that describes a boundary of decency, fairness, or personal respect. A remark or action 'unter der Gürtellinie' (below the belt) is unfair, hurtful, vulgar, or personally insulting.
Die persönlichen Angriffe des Politikers im Wahlkampf gingen weit unter die Gürtellinie.
The politician's personal attacks during the election campaign went far below the belt.
beltline
The line around the waist of the body where a belt is normally worn.
Diese Hose ist so geschnitten, dass sie genau auf der Gürtellinie sitzt.
These pants are cut so that they sit exactly on the beltline.
The word consists of 'Gürtel' (belt) and 'Linie' (line). It literally refers to the line on the body where you wear a belt. This literal meaning also helps you understand the figurative meaning.
Der Rock endet knapp über der Gürtellinie.
The skirt ends just above the beltline.
The most common use is the fixed expression 'unter die Gürtellinie' (below the belt). It is almost always used with the preposition 'unter' and describes an unfair or insulting action or statement.
Seine Kritik war sachlich und ging nie unter die Gürtellinie.
His criticism was objective and never went below the belt.
You can almost always recognize the figurative, idiomatic meaning from the preposition 'unter'. It is used in contexts involving arguments, discussions, or competition. The literal meaning usually occurs only in the context of clothing.
Solche persönlichen Beleidigungen sind tief unter der Gürtellinie.
Personal insults like that are far below the belt.
border / limit
Die Grenze and die Gürtellinie can both refer to a limit of acceptable behavior. Grenze describes this limit in general, whereas „unter die Gürtellinie“ specifically indicates an unfair, hurtful, or personal attack. Grenze is appropriate for an objective rule, while the fixed expression is used for an attack of this kind.
Mit dem Angriff auf ihre Familie ging seine Kritik unter die Gürtellinie.
By attacking her family, his criticism went below the belt.
Mit diesem Kommentar hat er eine klare Grenze des Anstands überschritten.
With that comment, he clearly crossed the line of decency.
