covert tension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "covert tension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle or hidden sense of conflict or stress in a situation or relationship. Example: "During the meeting, there was a covert tension between the two departments that was palpable, even though everyone was smiling."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

While the overt clashes may be headed off by the usual machinery of diplomacy, both countries – with large, extensive, secretive and brutal intelligence apparatuses and a history of working with both gangsters and terrorists – may well instead simply transfer these tensions to the covert arena.

The Guardian

It combines the tensions of a murky underworld tale about its covert assassination squad with character studies of its unlikely team, and conflicted leader Eric Bana in particular, and its key theme: is revenge ever justified, and how does it affect the perpetrators and the values of its state sponsors?

The Guardian - Film

Those months were marked by a largely covert paramilitary campaign against Central American leftists, a heightening of nuclear tensions with the Soviet Union, and dismay among American allies about the lurching course of American foreign policy.

The New York Times

Originally from East Palo Alto, CA with brief stints in Johannesburg, South Africa, Kameelah's interdisciplinary and research ­intensive practice considers ideas of selective legibility and opaqueness as a political strategy; the tension between narrative contingencies and narrative resolutions; as well as black traditions of covert literacies and self-publishing.

Columbia University

The episodes come amid increasing tension across eastern Ukraine, blamed by the Kiev government and the West on covert Russian intervention in the region - an allegation denied by Moscow.

BBC

The exposure of the spying network also reveals tensions between the Pentagon and the C.I.A., which itself is running a covert war across the border in Pakistan.

The New York Times

Covert action might slow North Korea's nuclear program, and thus relieve some of the tensions, but it couldn't halt the country's program.

The New Yorker

In studies, Phillips and colleagues found that novices revealed their intentions with such factors as visible muscle tension in their forearms and exaggerated movements whereas experts were better at concealing their covert actions.

HuffPost

With Putin's ominous actions, both overt and covert, Russia has added volatile fuel and vitriol to what otherwise might have been non-violent interethnic tension.

Huffington Post

One of his most potent paradoxes is the tension between child and adult, how puppetry at its best is an adult art, with a history of covert political subversiveness, yet also something born of a child's wonder, a child's eagerness to anthropomorphize the world.

The New York Times - Books

Stop your covert activities.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international relations or espionage, "covert tension" can effectively portray the undercurrents of mistrust and potential conflict that are not publicly acknowledged.

Common error

Avoid using "covert tension" to describe situations where the stress or conflict is obvious. Reserve it for scenarios where the tension is subtle, hidden, or not immediately recognized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "covert tension" functions as a noun phrase where "covert" modifies "tension". It describes a specific type of tension that is hidden or not openly expressed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "covert tension" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a hidden or subtle sense of conflict or stress. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While examples are limited, it finds applications in diverse contexts, particularly in describing situations where the underlying unease is not immediately apparent. Alternative phrases like "underlying strain" or "hidden conflict" can be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance intended. Remember to avoid using "covert tension" when the tension is already obvious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Underlying strain

Emphasizes the pressure or stress that exists beneath the surface.

Hidden conflict

Highlights the presence of a disagreement or struggle that is not openly expressed.

Latent stress

Focuses on the potential for stress to emerge or become active in the future.

Subtle unease

Indicates a mild feeling of discomfort or anxiety that is not easily noticed.

Unspoken friction

Suggests a lack of harmony or agreement that is not explicitly stated.

Veiled discord

Implies a more significant disagreement that is being concealed or disguised.

Suppressed animosity

Highlights the presence of strong dislike or hostility that is being held back.

Secret antagonism

Focuses on the existence of opposition or hostility that is kept hidden from others.

Unacknowledged conflict

Emphasizes that there is a conflict, but it is not admitted or recognized.

Inherent friction

Suggests the presence of friction is an inseparable element of a specific situation or relationship.

FAQs

How can "covert tension" be used in a sentence?

You can use "covert tension" to describe hidden or subtle conflicts or stress. For example, "There was a "covert tension" in the negotiation room, despite the smiles and handshakes."

What's a good alternative to "covert tension"?

Alternatives include "underlying strain", "hidden conflict", or "latent stress", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "covert tension" formal or informal language?

"Covert tension" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is more frequently found in news, academic, and professional writing.

What does "covert tension" imply about a situation?

It implies that the situation is not entirely harmonious, and that there are undercurrents of stress, conflict, or unease that are not immediately apparent or openly acknowledged.