underbelly

IPA/ˈʌndəbeli/
KK[ˈʌndɚbˌɛli]IPA/ˈʌndərbeli/

underbelly — 名詞

1. the part of a system, organization, or plan that is most open to attack, critici

1.名詞B2
釋義

弱點；軟肋

系統或組織中最脆弱、易受攻擊的隱患

the part of a system, organization, or plan that is most open to attack, criticism, or failure — often something people try to keep hidden.

例句

Zuri's report laid bare the underbelly of the city's housing programme.

Zuri 的報告揭露了城市住房計畫的弱點。

collocation: the underbelly of [system]

The documentary showed the dark underbelly of the fast-fashion business.

這部紀錄片呈現了快時尚產業的黑暗面。

collocation: dark underbelly

常見搭配
  • dark underbelly
  • soft underbelly
  • financial underbelly
  • expose the underbelly
  • hidden underbelly
同義詞
  • weak point

    more direct and less metaphorical; works for anything including small groups and individuals

  • Achilles heel

    more personal and dramatic; suggests a single fatal weakness in an otherwise strong person or thing

  • soft spot

    informal; often means a fondness or affection rather than a vulnerability

  • vulnerability

    more abstract; focuses on the state of being open to harm rather than the specific hidden area

反義詞

用法筆記

Typically refers to systems, organizations, or plans — not to individual people. Frequently paired with adjectives like 'dark,' 'soft,' or 'financial.'

常見錯誤

The underbelly of the team is the goalkeeper.
The weak point of the team is the goalkeeper.
'underbelly' in this sense is used about larger systems (governments, industries, organizations), not small groups or individual people.

2. the soft, exposed underside of an animal, or the bottom surface of a large objec

2.名詞B2
釋義

下腹；底部

動物身體下方的柔軟部位，或物體的底面

the soft, exposed underside of an animal, or the bottom surface of a large object.

例句

Dewi rubbed the cat's underbelly, and it began to purr loudly.

Dewi 撫摸貓咪的下腹，貓咪便開始大聲呼嚕。

possessive pattern: [animal]'s underbelly

The shark's pale underbelly flashed as it turned near the boat.

鯊魚蒼白的腹部在船邊轉身時一閃而過。

常見搭配
  • pale underbelly
  • smooth underbelly
同義詞
  • underside

    more general; used for any object, not just animals or large structures

  • belly

    informal; can mean the whole stomach area, not just the lower surface

  • abdomen

    technical or medical term for the belly region

反義詞
  • back

    the upper surface of an animal's body

  • top

    the upper surface of an object

同根字

常見搭配

介系詞搭配

  • the underbelly of