underlying threat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying threat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental or hidden danger that may not be immediately apparent. Example: "The report highlighted the underlying threat posed by climate change to global food security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

As you make clear, extremists like Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona, are just part of the problem; federal policies that empower these men represent the underlying threat to immigrant communities.

The New York Times

Just like our addiction to harvesting fossil fuels underlies our plastic pollution problem, the solutions to this problem (alternative energy, toxics reform and pollution control) have an underlying threat and that is money in politics with the Supreme Court decision Citizens United blessing the whole corrupt system.

Huffington Post

And there was an underlying threat of political consequences should he not.

The New York Times

Like Love Story there's an underlying threat of a cruel fate about to scupper the lives of this mismatched yet oddly yoked pair.

The Guardian - Film

"When you think about risky marketing or publicity stunts that do happen, they don't have this kind of underlying threat to the profits of the company".

The New York Times

But the underlying threat remained: if undocumented workers continued to slip in from Mexico, all the hard-won gains might vanish.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

A Tallahassee, Fla., judge ruled that the N.C.A.A. must publicly release documents on Florida State's appeal of an academic cheating penalty, and criticized the organization for making underlying threats against the university.

The New York Times

They alter perspectives for both the medical and legal professions, as physicians become better at spotting underlying threats to health, and lawyers engage in what he called "preventive law".

The New York Times

Turning from machine imagery toward fluid vital forms, Mr. Stayton writes in the catalog, was "at least in part a response to the unsettling ambivalence and anxieties of the new age," when the exuberance of prosperity could be upset at any moment by vague, underlying threats.

The New York Times

In general, any security protocol design methodology should be an iterative process addressing in each step critical contexts of increasing complexity as result of the considered protocol goals and the underlying threats.

Journal of Systems and Software

All the sources I have spoken to say that while "the blowback issue" - the threat of UK jihadists returning to carry out attacks - has not gone away, recent events in Iraq have not so far affected the underlying terror threat to Britain.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underlying threat", ensure that the context clearly identifies what is being threatened. This provides clarity and emphasizes the significance of the hidden danger.

Common error

Avoid using "underlying threat" when referring to immediate or obvious dangers. This phrase is most effective when describing risks that are not immediately apparent but are fundamentally present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying threat" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "underlying" modifies the noun "threat". It describes a danger that is not immediately obvious or apparent, but is fundamentally present.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underlying threat" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It signifies a danger that is fundamental but not immediately obvious. While not very common, its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. Alternative phrases like "latent danger" or "hidden peril" offer similar meanings, albeit with slightly different nuances. The phrase is best used when highlighting risks that are present beneath the surface, warranting further attention. Understanding the scope of the threat is crucial to avoid misapplication. In essence, "underlying threat" serves as a potent descriptor for risks lurking beneath the surface, demanding careful consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

latent danger

Replaces 'underlying' with 'latent' suggesting a hidden, not yet realized threat.

hidden peril

Substitutes 'threat' with 'peril' and 'underlying' with 'hidden', emphasizing the concealed nature of the danger.

fundamental risk

Replaces 'underlying' with 'fundamental' and 'threat' with 'risk', focusing on the basic, inherent danger.

root cause of danger

Highlights the causal aspect of the threat, pinpointing it to the root.

inherent hazard

Uses 'inherent' and 'hazard' to indicate a built-in or intrinsic danger.

concealed menace

Emphasizes the hidden and threatening nature of the situation.

unseen risk

Highlights the imperceptibility of the danger.

veiled threat

Suggests the threat is covered or disguised.

implicit danger

Indicates that the danger is implied but not explicitly stated.

basic risk

Focuses on the foundational nature of the risk.

FAQs

How can I use "underlying threat" in a sentence?

You can use "underlying threat" to describe a danger that is not immediately obvious but is fundamentally present. For example, "The report exposed the underlying threat of economic inequality."

What are some alternatives to "underlying threat"?

Alternatives include "latent danger", "hidden peril", or "fundamental risk". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "underlying threat" the same as "imminent threat"?

No, "underlying threat" refers to a hidden or fundamental danger, while "imminent threat" refers to a danger that is about to happen or is likely to occur very soon.

Which is the correct phrase: "underlying threat" or "underlined threat"?

"Underlying threat" is the correct phrase to describe a hidden or fundamental danger. "Underlined threat" doesn't exist with this meaning, as underline means to draw a line under something.