underbelly

American  

[uhn-der-bel-ee] / ˈʌn dərˌbɛl i /

noun

plural

underbellies

1. the lower abdomen; posterior ventral area, as of an animal's body.

2. the lower surface of an object; underside.

   the underbelly of an airplane.

3. a vulnerable area; weak point.

   an attack on the soft underbelly of Europe.

4. a dark, seamy, often hidden area or side.

   a police officer continually exposed to the underbelly of society.

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underbelly British  

/ ˈʌndəˌbɛlɪ /

noun

1. the part of an animal's belly nearest to the ground

2. a vulnerable or unprotected part, aspect, or region

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Etymology

Origin of underbelly

First recorded in 1600–10; under- + belly

Example Sentences

And she suggests that the current state of the Epstein files exposes a darker underbelly.

From BBC

And while Congress, Europe and law may hold no terrors for our president, we all know ridicule hits him in his soft, white underbelly.

From Los Angeles Times

When a softer touch was needed, such as on her sensitive underbelly, she would use the smooth handle end.

From BBC

In fact, more is known about the surface of some planets in our Solar System than much of Antarctica's "underbelly" – the topography beneath the ice sheet.

From BBC

Guerrero described the shark as “big, around 6 feet long,” with a white underbelly.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• basement
• bed
• floor
• ground
• seat
• underside