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under

under

49 1.0
In a certain state such as not being awake or being defeated
  • adverb
  • /ˈʌndər/
translation icon : bajo
  • When you went under, I gave you some sleep mix.
  • go under

Examples

  • This makes us all realize the kind of pressure these drivers are under.

  • People need to know what kind of threat they're under.

  • Certainly not interested enough to come out from under and get involved with anything.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • You don't understand the pressure I'm under, thinking this guy's perfect.

  • Ice caps gonna melt, water is gonna rise... and everything south of the levee is going under.

  • His business went under after struggling for several years during the recession.

  • Many start-ups fail and go under due to lack of funding.

  • After the scandal, the politician's reputation fell under scrutiny.

Idioms

405 2.5

Managed so it is calm and not dangerous

105 3.5

Being hurt physically or strongly criticized by others

under fire
  • Literature
58 5.0

Receiving strong criticism or being shot at, often in public

Because of the current situation

46 5.8

Not able to do daily tasks safely because of alcohol or drugs

People do not notice it because someone keeps it quiet

under wraps
  • Informal
28 6.0

Most people do not know about it

25 7.2

To annoy someone again and again so they feel bothered

under the hood
  • Specialized
25 4.7

Inside the parts of a car or computer that make it work

People feel very tense and worried because many difficult things are happening

Outside at night when the stars are visible

21 5.3

Feeling slightly ill and not your usual self

20 4.2

Says that something must never happen in any situation

In bed covered by blankets to stay warm and comfortable

Kept in a locked place so people cannot take it

16 2.9

Everything that exists or happens in the world

In the same building where people or things are together

Being carefully watched and checked for problems

Very close and easy to see but not noticed

9 5.9

To avoid being noticed by other people

Very fascinated and unable to control your actions or feelings

8 7.7

To hide a problem instead of dealing with it openly

8 3.9

Something that happened in the past and is no longer important

6 4.1

A very large range of things you can imagine

under the gun
  • Informal
6 7.4

Feeling strong pressure to finish something because of a deadline

6 3.0

Already started and continuing now

six feet under
  • Informal
5 7.7

No longer alive and buried in the ground, or completely covered by something like water

5 7.1

Very angry or annoyed because someone criticizes you

Being suspected or disliked by other people

4 8.0

Not knowing things most people know

To annoy someone a lot by small things another person does

under the carpet
  • Informal
3 7.9

To keep something secret or ignore it instead of dealing with it

3 8.4

With support and protection from an organization or authority

3 7.2

You are in bed with the sheets pulled over you to be private or close with someone

At the last moment before time runs out

under arms
  • Jargon
2 7.0

Armed and ready to fight

Using your own effort without help from others

1 6.7

Hidden from users and working behind the scenes

under sail
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A boat with sails set that moves by wind

To sell things secretly when this is not allowed

To keep your talents or good work hidden instead of showing them to others

1 5.0

In a glass case so people can see but not touch it

1 6.4

Happens very near someone when they do not notice

1 4.2

A more experienced person looks after and guides you

Wait too long to act and miss a chance

Someone who often has good things happen by chance

Pretending to be someone else to trick people

Drink more alcohol than another person until they become drunk

To suddenly stop helping someone, leaving them in a difficult situation

To ignore or hide problems instead of dealing with them

Happens openly without people nearby noticing

To pretend to be someone else to trick people

Compounds

Not finished because people are building it

14 8.9

Saying something false after promising to tell the truth in court

Done secretly to hide payments and avoid the law

7 8.1

A boat or ship sinks below the water

1 9.9

A roast pheasant served under a glass cover in fine restaurants

9.9

A formal written agreement signed with a special stamp that has stronger force in law

under erasure
  • Literature
9.9

Crossed out but left visible to show it is uncertain or outdated

Sold or done secretly to avoid the law

Surface Forms

under positive

Etymology

Under began as a word for 'below', and people used that 'below' image to show being 'in' a state or under someone’s power. That's why we say someone is under for an operation or under control when they are in that state.