underhanded
1
5.8
- adjective
- /ˌʌndərˈhændɪd/
- Specialized
:
por debajo del brazo
- There are now two beginning levels of play: one in which the ball is hit from a stand, and one in which an adult throws the ball underhanded to the batter.
- underhanded pitch
- throw underhanded
- toss a ball underhanded
Examples
-
To create a gentle arch, toss the ball underhanded rather than from above.
-
Want me to have him pitch underhanded to ya?
-
Tossed the shells underhanded to the trash bin.
Fiction book (1997) -
The stone was instantly coated with an impenetrable layer of darkness, and he tossed the rock to Ord in a friendly, underhanded motion.
Fiction book (1992) -
He looked at both of us like he was mad, but he smiled the right way and pressed the bottle caps back on with the heel of his hand and tossed the two bottles underhanded a little ways up the river.
Fiction book (1990) -
He sinks shots one-handed, two-handed, underhanded, flat-footed, and out of the pivot, jump, and set.
Fiction book (1992) -
The coach demonstrated how to throw the ball underhanded to make it easier for beginners to catch.
-
She prefers to pitch the ball underhanded during practice to improve her accuracy.
Synonyms
3
3.1
To throw or hit a ball from below shoulder level
3
5.3
You move your arm below shoulder level when throwing or serving
Antonyms
A movement where the hand moves forward and down from above the shoulder for throws and serves
How High
Surface Forms
Morphology
underhanded = underhand (transparent) = under + hand + ed
The meaning is a literal description of the manner of a throw: 'under' + 'hand', with '-ed' forming an adjective.
Etymology
Underhanded comes from the parts under and hand, which together mean 'below the hand'. So an underhanded throw or stroke is one made with the hand moving up from under, which is why players use an underhanded serve in games like tennis or table tennis.