under their radar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under their radar" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is unnoticed or not acknowledged by someone or a group. Example: "The new competitor has been operating under the radar, quietly gaining market share without attracting much attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"He gets under their radar.

The New Yorker

Whatever happened in Flint slid quietly under their radar.

The New Yorker

These companies are too small and fly under their radar.

Harvard Business Review

Officials have identified at least 50 specific programs in the US, Wheeler says, but smaller ones may be under their radar, and new programs are popping up all the time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Spanish security sources said he had a police record for drug dealing, and that he travelled to Syria and first came under their radar after attending a Salafist mosque while living in Algeciras with his parents.

Independent

Ranieri was far from alone in that respect – plenty of other Premier League managers have since questioned how he slipped under their radar – but Walsh and his recruitment team had done their homework.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It felt like a stroll through the fall of Saigon, but it was just the back entrance to the Smoothie King Arena, where all the TV trucks were stationed under bright white lights, their radar pointed skyward.

The New Yorker

So what's going on here is technically legal in Panamanian law, but shady because it allows people and businesses to fly under their own countries' radar and hide and protect millions and billions of dollars.

Huffington Post

For now, there is only one thing at hand, a shot at another gold medal, one more stab at the only glory their under-the-radar sport ever knows.

The New York Times - Sports

About their under-the-radar community, Joe says, "If we didn't feel like in many ways we were being pushed away from living life the way we want to in the sense of the legal world, we wouldn't need to have this.

The New York Times

In their under-the-radar announcement, Google admits they've now built "a purely commercial model" that delivers listings ranked by "bid price".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under their radar", ensure it's clear who "they" refers to. Lack of clarity can lead to ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "under their radar" when the subject's awareness is completely irrelevant or unknown. This phrase implies a specific group's potential awareness, not a general state of obscurity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under their radar" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action or situation occurs unnoticed by a specific group. As Ludwig AI explains, it highlights that something remains undetected or unacknowledged by a particular entity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under their radar" is a common phrase used to describe situations where something goes unnoticed or undetected by a specific group. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and can be employed in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "below their notice" or "off their radar" exist, understanding the specific context is essential for choosing the most appropriate substitute. Use it to denote instances where an entity's lack of awareness is a key aspect of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below their notice

Emphasizes a lack of awareness or consideration.

off their radar

Suggests something is not being actively monitored or considered.

unbeknownst to them

Highlights a state of unawareness or ignorance.

without their knowledge

Focuses on the lack of information or awareness.

escaping their attention

Implies something actively avoids being noticed.

not on their agenda

Suggests a lack of priority or importance.

outside their purview

Indicates something falls beyond the scope of responsibility or authority.

beneath their notice

Emphasizes a perceived lack of importance, causing it to be overlooked.

evading their detection

Highlights an active avoidance of being discovered.

flying under the radar

A more general idiom with a similar meaning, implying concealment or unobtrusiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "under their radar" in a sentence?

Use "under their radar" to describe something unnoticed or ignored by a specific group. For example, "The small startup operated under their radar until it became a major competitor".

What's a more formal way to say "under their radar"?

More formal alternatives include "below their notice", "without their knowledge", or "escaping their attention".

What does it mean for something to fly "fly under the radar"?

To "fly under the radar" means to go unnoticed or avoid detection, similar to "under their radar" but often used in a more general sense without specifying who is unaware.

Is "under the radar" the same as "under their radar"?

"Under the radar" is a more generic phrase meaning unnoticed in general. "Under their radar" specifies that a particular group or entity is unaware.