fall under the radar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall under the radar" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something that has gone unnoticed or overlooked by someone. For example: "The small, independent store was unable to compete with the big stores in the area, so it ended up falling under the radar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Women who change their last names upon marriage can easily fall under the radar.

The New York Times - Tech

In other words, lots of genes which do influence sexual orientation may fall under the radar.

The Guardian

Not generally identifiable by a particular sporty physique, their capacity for toil can fall under the radar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Even a $20,000 expenditure on a personal vacation would probably fall under the radar" of a traditional audit, Mr. Getzel said he told his audience.

The New York Times

In New York the annual fringe festival can easily fall under the radar of the average person and, as critics have pointed out, there are few opportunities for audiences to congregate and share their experiences.

The New York Times

Others can fall under the radar by having short histories as public companies.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The under-the-radar bitchiness.

The Guardian

Under-The-Radar Screen.

Forbes

Related article: Under-the-radar India.

BBC

Another plus to being under-the-radar?

Forbes

Video: Under-The-Radar Holiday Gadgets.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall under the radar" when you want to emphasize that something was not noticed because it was subtle, unimportant at the time, or obscured by other events. It's particularly useful in describing unnoticed trends, overlooked details, or quiet actions.

Common error

While "fall under the radar" is widely understood, it's an idiom. In highly formal or academic writing, opt for more direct and less figurative language such as "go unnoticed" or "escape detection" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall under the radar" functions as an idiomatic expression, acting as a predicate in a sentence. It describes a state of being unnoticed or undetected. Ludwig confirms its valid usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fall under the radar" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe something that goes unnoticed or undetected. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to informal contexts, with the majority of examples found in news and media sources. Alternatives such as "go unnoticed" or "escape attention" may be more appropriate for formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with its subtle implication of being overlooked or escaping awareness due to its lack of importance or visibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fly under the radar

Similar to the original, but uses "fly" instead of "fall", altering the imagery slightly while retaining the core meaning.

go unnoticed

This alternative directly replaces the idiom with a simpler, more literal expression.

be overlooked

This focuses on the act of someone neglecting to notice something, shifting the emphasis from the object to the observer.

escape attention

This phrase suggests a deliberate avoidance of notice, adding a layer of intent that might be absent in the original.

remain undetected

This implies a lack of discovery, emphasizing the state of being hidden or unseen.

evade notice

Suggests an active effort to avoid being noticed, adding a sense of intentionality.

slip through the cracks

This idiom conveys a sense of failure in a system that should have caught something, adding a dimension of systemic oversight.

not be registered

Emphasizes a lack of formal recognition or recording, suitable in contexts where official acknowledgement is expected.

be disregarded

Highlights a conscious decision to ignore or dismiss something, implying a value judgment.

fade into obscurity

This indicates a gradual decline in visibility or importance, suggesting a loss of prominence over time.

FAQs

How can I use "fall under the radar" in a sentence?

You can use "fall under the radar" to describe something that goes unnoticed. For example, "The new regulations "fell under the radar" until a major issue occurred".

What does it mean when something "falls under the radar"?

It means that something goes unnoticed or undetected. It suggests that it wasn't considered important or visible enough to attract attention.

What can I say instead of "fall under the radar"?

You can use alternatives like "go unnoticed", "escape attention", or "be overlooked", depending on the context.

Is "fall under the radar" a formal or informal expression?

"Fall under the radar" is generally considered an informal expression. While widely understood, it's best to use more formal language like "remain undetected" in academic or professional writing.