1. the underside or bottom part of an animal’s body
2. the hidden, unpleasant, or criminal aspects of something
Usage: figurative
3. a vulnerable or weak part of something
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The cat rolled over to show its soft underbelly.
• The shark’s underbelly was pale compared to its dark back.
• The documentary exposed the underbelly of the fashion industry.
• Corruption was part of the city’s underbelly that few wanted to discuss.
• The scandal revealed the underbelly of political fundraising.
• Cybersecurity experts identified the underbelly of the network system.
• The investigation targeted the underbelly of organized crime.