off the radar
18
7.1
- idiom
- The indie film remained off the radar, only gaining recognition years after its release.
- fell off the radar
- dropped off the radar
- stay off the radar
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Watch on YouTubeBut somehow the workers fell off the radar screen a bit and I think this is starting to change.
- But somehow the workers fell off the radar screen a bit and I think this is starting to change.
Examples
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I mean, I know Franklin's sick, but I think he's doing the absolute right thing, keeping that off the radar.
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What do we need to pull people in, especially those off the radar who would benefit from a resource like this?
Blog text (13) -
All this time, it's been off the radar.
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We stay off the radar.
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And it's been a way for me to do work that is off the radar, not in the public domain.
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The main reason is to stay, for the time being, off the radar of those among my employers who object to most things.
Blog text (16) -
He's supposed to be avoiding attention, staying off the radar.
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Since then, she's dropped off the radar but started a program in Washington, D.C. under her name.
Blog text (30) -
Berry came from off the radar this year as a 27-year-old rookie and stole 21 bases without being caught.
Blog text (27) -
YellowSweets.com takes the lead and BlueSweets.com disappears off the radar.
Blog text (21)
Synonyms
63
2.5
Other people do not see or pay attention to it
52
3.2
Hidden so people do not notice it
49
7.3
Few people know about it
45
5.2
People do not notice it because someone keeps it quiet
43
4.6
Not found or noticed by others
27
3.4
Kept where you cannot see it
23
4.0
People do not notice it when it is important
5
5.2
Not seen or noticed by anyone
4
6.5
In a place far from where most people go
4
6.6
Not easily seen or noticed
3
4.2
Not known or noticed by other people
2
7.4
Not noticed or talked about by other people
1
8.3
Seen by only a few people
1
9.1
Not understood or noticed by most people
1
8.1
Hard to see or notice
Antonyms
How Visible
Surface Forms
Morphology
off + the + radar
The phrase extends the literal meanings of 'off' (not on/active) and 'radar' (a detection system) into a metaphor meaning 'outside of notice or awareness.' A B1 learner who knows both words can plausibly infer this metaphorical mapping, but because it relies on recognizing 'radar' as a domain for attention rather than a literal device, the link is not fully transparent.
Etymology
Off the radar comes from radar screens that were used to spot planes and ships. If something is 'off the radar' it does not show up and people do not notice it, so today it means 'not noticed' or 'not known about'.