The Archive

Etymology Journal ยท L

Lower than a snake's belly

Meaning

Describes someone or something that is morally reprehensible, despicable, or at a very low point. It is a strong way to characterize poor behavior.

Harsh, judgmental

Used in a sentence

  • Cheating in a game of checkers is lower than a snake's belly.
  • That guy is lower than a snake's belly for lying to his own family.
  • I think his reputation is currently lower than a snake's belly.

The backstory

This idiom plays on the imagery of a snake crawling on the ground, which is inherently low. It has been a staple of rural American hyperbole for generations.

Heard in

The South

Vibe check