under belt

*under one's belt 

1. Fig. eaten or drunk and in one's stomach. (Fig. on the image of swallowed food ending up under one's belt. *Typically: get something ~; have something ~.) I need to have something filling under my belt. I've had it with just soup. I want to get a nice juicy steak under my belt.

2. Fig. achieved; counted or scored. (Fig. on {2} *Typically: have something ~.) Minnie has over four hundred wins under his belt. This fighter pilot has over 20 kills under his belt.

3. Fig. learned; mastered. (Fig. on {2}. *Typically: get something ~.) Finally, she got good painting techniques under her belt. When I get the right procedures under my belt, I will be more efficient.

See also: belt

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under your belt

if you have an experience or a qualification under your belt, you have completed it successfully, and it may be useful to you in the future She was a capable individual, with fourteen years as managing director under her belt. He has several major drama awards under his belt.

See tighten belt

See also: belt

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under your belt

already achieved or experienced She had fourteen years as a manager under her belt and knew the job as well as anyone. He has several literary awards under his belt.

See also: belt