slip under the radar: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘slip under the radar’ mean?
The idiom "slip under the radar" means to go unnoticed or undetected, typically referring to someone or something avoiding scrutiny or attention.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "under the radar" means to go unnoticed or undetected, especially in a way that avoids attention, scrutiny, or surveillance.
The idiom "take one's eye off the ball" means to lose focus or become distracted from an important task or goal.
The idiom "take no notice of" means to ignore or pay no attention to something or someone. It implies a deliberate act of not acknowledging or responding to a particular situation, remark, or individual.
The idiom "take lightly" means to not take something seriously or to underestimate its importance or impact.
The idiom "take a back seat" means to take a less prominent or active role in a situation or to allow others to take the lead.
The idiom "sweep something under the rug" means to hide or ignore a problem or mistake instead of dealing with it openly.
The idiom "sweep aside" means to dismiss or ignore something or someone as unimportant or insignificant, usually due to a lack of interest or consideration.
The idiom "stick one's head in the sand" means to ignore or refuse to acknowledge a problem or unpleasant situation, often out of fear or denial.
The idiom "steal a glance" means to quickly and discreetly look at something or someone, often when it is not socially acceptable or appropriate to do so.
Linguistic Vanishing Act
The phrase "under the radar" is another idiom that has a similar meaning to "slip under the radar." It is often used to describe situations or actions that go unnoticed or escape attention. The idiom "under the radar" emphasizes the idea of staying below the level of detection or observation. Just like "slip under the radar," it can be used in various contexts to highlight the ability to avoid being noticed or scrutinized.
Similarly, the idiom "fly under the radar" also conveys the concept of going unnoticed or evading detection. The expression "fly under the radar" is a variation of the idiom "slip under the radar," but with an added sense of speed or agility. It suggests that someone or something is able to move quickly and smoothly, making it difficult for others to detect or keep track of their actions. "Fly under the radar" is commonly used in situations where individuals or things are able to achieve their goals without attracting attention.
Both "under the radar" and "fly under the radar" are idioms that share the same underlying meaning as "slip under the radar." These expressions capture the idea of going unnoticed or avoiding scrutiny, but with slight variations in emphasis. Their usage in different contexts allows for a nuanced portrayal of how individuals or things manage to elude detection or attention in various situations.
Understanding the idiomatic expressions related to "slip under the radar" adds depth and versatility to one's language skills. These idioms provide effective ways to describe situations where individuals or things are able to escape notice or avoid scrutiny. Such expressions can be used to convey a sense of cleverness, stealth, or agility in navigating different contexts. By incorporating idiomatic phrases like "under the radar" and "fly under the radar" into our communication, we can enhance our ability to express ideas concisely and vividly.
The idiom "slip under the radar" refers to the act of going unnoticed or avoiding detection. It is a widely recognized and employed expression that captures the concept of escaping attention or eluding scrutiny. The related idioms "under the radar" and "fly under the radar" provide additional ways to describe situations where individuals or things manage to evade notice or avoid scrutiny. By utilizing these idiomatic expressions, we can enhance our communication skills and convey complex ideas more effectively.
Example usage
Here are three examples of how the idiom "slip under the radar" can be used in a sentence:
1. Despite her lack of experience, she managed to slip under the radar and secure a high-level position in the company.
2. The athlete's impressive performance during the training went unnoticed by the coach, allowing him to slip under the radar and surprise everyone at the upcoming competition.
3. The accountant cleverly manipulated the numbers to make the fraudulent transactions slip under the radar of the auditors.
More "Stealth" idioms
