noun
underbelly
UHN-duh-behl-ee
noun
1
The underside of an animal's body.
"The shark's underbelly is much paler than its back."
2
The hidden, often unpleasant or corrupt side of something.
"The novel exposes the criminal underbelly of the city."
How to Use Underbelly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally the underside of a body, but often used figuratively for a hidden, seedy side of a place or situation.
Common pairings
criminal underbelly
seedy underbelly
Word Forms
underbellies plural
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The shark's _____ is much paler than its back.
Etymology
From under- + belly.