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Belly

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Close-up of a bare stomach beside the word belly, illustrating the slang term

British English Slang – Belly

Meaning – Stomach. The front part of the body between your chest and your legs.

Here is a selection of different types of belly:

  • Beer belly – A large protruding belly that is the result of frequently drinking a lot of beer.
  • Delhi belly – An old fashioned term for a bad stomach caused by visiting an unfamiliar place.
  • Pot belly – A large belly, similar to a beer belly.
  • Yellow belly –Idiom – A coward.

You should also be familiar with the following expressions that feature bellies:

  • Belly button – Another way of referring to your naval.
  • Belly dance – A type of solo dance performed by a woman with her stomach exposed. Check out an example of a belly dance on YouTube.
  • Belly flop – A dive into water when you land on your front – which can be very painful!
  • Belly laugh – A deep, hearty laugh.
  • To go belly up – Idiom – To go bankrupt or to fail.

Example:

  • “You need to go on a diet. You have a massive belly!”

Listen to how it’s pronounced:

ListenListening.

What is slang?

Slang is very informal language. It’s usually spoken rather than written, and is often used by a particular group of people or in a particular place. Slang changes over time, and using it well is a great way to sound more natural when speaking English.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “belly” mean?

It’s an informal British word for the stomach — the front part of the body between the chest and the legs.

What does “go belly up” mean?

To fail or go bankrupt — often used for a business that has stopped trading.

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