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Underbelly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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underbelly

[หˆสŒndษ™หŒbษ›li ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

of a city

The underbelly of a city refers to the darker, hidden, and often neglected aspects of urban life. It includes areas of poverty, crime, and social problems that are not always visible to the general public.

Synonyms

dark side, hidden side, seamy side.

Examples of usage

  • The documentary shed light on the underbelly of the city, revealing the struggles of its marginalized residents.
  • Tourists often only see the glamorous side of the city, not the underbelly where many people are struggling to make ends meet.
Context #2 | Noun

of an organization

The underbelly of an organization refers to its vulnerable or weak points, often related to corruption, inefficiency, or unethical practices. It can also refer to the hidden agendas or power struggles within the organization.

Synonyms

soft underbelly, vulnerability, weak spot.

Examples of usage

  • The scandal exposed the underbelly of the company, revealing widespread corruption among top executives.
  • It's important to address the underbelly of the organization in order to promote transparency and accountability.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'underbelly'

The term 'underbelly' originated in the mid-19th century, derived from the combination of 'under' and 'belly'. It originally referred to the soft underpart of an animal's body. Over time, it evolved to metaphorically represent the hidden or vulnerable aspects of various entities, such as cities or organizations.

See also: under, underage, underbody, underfed, underhanded, underling, underneath, underpants, underside, understand, underwear.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,825 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.