(always reflexive) old-fashioned to marry someone of a lower social class than your own
Her uncle was afraid that by marrying Mr Watts she would be marrying beneath herself.
phrasemarry beneath marry beneath you/yourself to marry someone of a lower social class than your own: People said that Elsie had married beneath her, when she married James Abott, a farm worker.■ OPPOSITE: marry above yourself
(redirected from marry beneath)
marry beneath (oneself)
To marry someone who is of a lower social class or standing than oneself. A: "I hear that Mr. Sullivan plans to marry a local fishmonger's daughter." B: "Why would a man of his esteem marry beneath himself like that?"Janet has a bright future with one of the best law firms in town, so it's beyond me why she's marrying beneath herself with some fast food worker.