underarm

underarm
adj
British
a.
underhand, dodgy
b.
illegal, illicit
The use of underarm in these senses stems from the literal sense of passing or carrying something concealed under the arm, reinforced by the supposed offensive nature of the armpit. ('Under the arm' is an archaic expression, once used by vagrants and marginals and meaning bad or infe-rior.)

Contemporary slang . 2014.

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  • underarm — (adj.) 1816, underhand (in ref. to a style of throwing), from UNDER (Cf. under) + ARM (Cf. arm) (n.1). First attested 1908 in dressmaking sense of seams on the lower half of the arm hole; as a euphemism for ARMPIT (Cf. armpit), it is attested… …   Etymology dictionary

  • underarm — ► ADJECTIVE & ADVERB ▪ (of a throw or stroke in sport) made with the arm or hand below shoulder level. ► NOUN ▪ a person s armpit …   English terms dictionary

  • underarm — [un′dər ärm΄] adj. 1. of, for, in, or used on the area under the arm, or the armpit 2. UNDERHAND (sense 1) adv. UNDERHAND (sense 1) …   English World dictionary

  • underarm — un|der|arm1 [ˈʌndəra:m US a:rm] adv BrE if you throw a ball underarm, you throw it without moving your arm above your shoulder American Equivalent: underhand underarm 2 underarm2 adj 1.) [only before noun] relating to or used on your ↑armpits ▪… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • underarm — [[t]ʌ̱ndərɑː(r)m[/t]] underarms 1) ADJ: ADJ n Underarm means in or for the areas under your arms, where they are joined to your body. Use underarm deodorants sparingly to avoid skin irritations. Syn: armpits N COUNT: usu pl Underarm is also a… …   English dictionary

  • underarm — I UK [ˈʌndərˌɑː(r)m] / US [ˈʌndərˌɑrm] noun [countable] Word forms underarm : singular underarm plural underarms the area of your body under your arm II UK [ˈʌndərˌɑː(r)m] / US [ˈʌndərˌɑrm] adjective, adverb British if you throw a ball underarm,… …   English dictionary

  • underarm — /ˈʌndəram / (say unduhrahm) adjective 1. under the arm: an underarm seam. 2. in the armpit: underarm odour. 3. Cricket, Tennis, etc. executed with the hand below the shoulder as in bowling, service, etc. –adverb 4. Cricket, Tennis, etc. with an… …  

  • underarm — /un deuhr ahrm /, adj. 1. of, situated, or for use under the arm or in the armpit: an underarm deodorant. 2. underhand: an underarm pitch in softball. n. 3. armpit. adv. 4. underhand. [1810 20; UNDER + ARM1] * * * …   Universalium

  • underarm — 1 adverb if you throw a ball underarm, you throw it without moving your arm above your shoulder; underhand 2 AmE 2 adjective underarm deodorant/antiperspirant a substance which smells pleasant that you put under your arms …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • underarm — I. adjective Date: 1816 1. underhand 4 2. placed under or on the underside of the arm < underarm seams > II. adverb Date: circa 1909 underhand III. noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • underarm — 1. noun a) The armpit. b) Old fashioned and now outlawed style of bowling in cricket. 2. adjective For use under the arm. A 1997 study found that about 104 million American women were using underarm deodorant products …   Wiktionary

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