poorly concealed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poorly concealed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not hidden effectively or is easily noticeable despite attempts to cover it up. Example: "The evidence of his wrongdoing was poorly concealed, making it easy for the investigators to uncover the truth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But as with Mr. Tighe, you don't feel the threat of Thomas's poorly concealed hostility.

The New York Times

The referee books him for a poorly concealed piece of play-acting.

The Guardian - Sport

Esposito poorly concealed his contempt as Moore, shambling but relentless, pursued him about the propriety of stop-and-frisk.

The New Yorker

So you can imagine that his face, as I inched past him, registered a moment of poorly concealed dismay.

Independent

These days the most vexing problem, he said, is the giant scrap plant next door, which is poorly concealed by a row of hedges.

The New York Times

How could Lawrence forgive a hostess whose poorly concealed opinion of his boisterous German wife was that Frieda should be put into a sack and drowned?

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Xavier Leherpeur from Le Nouvel Observateur described it as "a fiction of sterile ramifications, weighed down by a script the labyrinthine constructions of which poorly conceal the poverty of inspiration".

Wikipedia

The N-Gage is an engineering marvel concealed within a poorly designed product.

The New York Times - Tech

Local architect and campaigner Benedict O'Looney has produced 3D renderings shedding light on the ornate Victorian renaissance frontage of the station – currently concealed by a poorly maintained 1930s arcade – and plans for an open public market square to take the arcade's place.

The Guardian

The next proximal article is only poorly known, as it is concealed by the body.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The crustal architecture as well as the kinematic evolution of the Thomson Orogen in Queensland is poorly resolved because the region is concealed under thick Phanerozoic sedimentary basins and the basement geology is known from limited drill holes.

Tectonophysics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "poorly concealed" to describe something that is obviously not hidden well, often revealing an underlying intention or truth. For example, "His disappointment was poorly concealed beneath a forced smile."

Common error

Avoid using "poorly concealed" when something is completely hidden. This phrase implies that the attempt to hide something was unsuccessful, and it remains somewhat noticeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly concealed" functions as an adverb-adjective combination. It modifies a noun or noun phrase, describing the manner in which something is concealed. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poorly concealed" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is not hidden well. As Ludwig AI highlights, it effectively communicates the lack of success in hiding something. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase is also used in scientific and general writing. Alternatives such as "barely concealed", "scarcely concealed", and "badly hidden" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression depending on the specific context. When using "poorly concealed", ensure that the attempt to hide something was indeed unsuccessful and that it remains somewhat noticeable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill concealed

Indicates a similar level of ineffectiveness in hiding something, but places more emphasis on the negative outcome of the attempt.

scarcely concealed

Emphasizes the minimal effort or ability to hide something effectively.

barely concealed

Highlights that something is just covered or hidden, with little margin for error.

hardly concealed

Similar to "barely concealed", but often implies a lack of intention or effort in concealing.

thinly concealed

Suggests that something is hidden by a very slight or inadequate covering.

lightly concealed

Suggests a superficial attempt to hide something.

poorly disguised

Focuses on the ineffectiveness of attempts to change the appearance or nature of something to hide it.

badly hidden

A more straightforward way of expressing that something is not well hidden.

poorly shielded

Suggests that something is not adequately protected or covered, making it easily detectable.

inadequately masked

Highlights the insufficient attempt to cover or disguise something, revealing its true nature.

FAQs

How can I use "poorly concealed" in a sentence?

You can use "poorly concealed" to describe emotions, objects, or intentions that are not effectively hidden. For example: "Her anger was poorly concealed," or "The entrance to the secret passage was poorly concealed by some brush".

What are some alternatives to "poorly concealed"?

Alternatives include "barely concealed", "scarcely concealed", "thinly concealed", or "badly hidden". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "poorly concealed" and "well concealed"?

"Poorly concealed" means something is not effectively hidden and is easily noticeable, while "well concealed" implies something is hidden effectively and is difficult to detect.

Is it correct to say "poorly concealed" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "poorly concealed" is correct and commonly used. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something not hidden effectively. You can also use alternatives like "ill concealed" or "badly hidden" if you prefer.