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Dark Underbelly

/dɑrk ˈʌndərˌbɛli/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The hidden, often unpleasant or immoral aspects of a situation or entity.

    "The dark underbelly of the city revealed a network of crime and corruption."
  2. 2

    A metaphorical term used to describe the less visible, often negative side of something that appears positive.

    "While the company promoted its eco-friendly initiatives, the dark underbelly of its practices included significant environmental violations."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'dark underbelly' combines 'dark', from Old English 'deorc', meaning 'lacking light', and 'underbelly', which refers to the vulnerable underside of an object, originating from the combination of 'under' and 'belly' in Middle English. The phrase metaphorically evolved to describe hidden, often negative aspects of a situation or entity.

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