IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishgo underground
Meaning: To go into hiding or begin operating in secret.
Example: “After the leak, the source went underground and stopped answering reporters.”
Origin: "Underground" for secret activity is linked especially to the resistance movements of the Second World War, which were known as the underground. Earlier, it described the Underground Railroad that helped enslaved people escape in 19th-century America.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Prendre le maquis Literally: To take the maquis
More English idioms
- not believe one's ears To be so surprised by what one hears that it seems impossible.
- cross the Rubicon To take an irreversible step.
- like a bear with a sore head In a very bad, irritable mood.
- dead on one's feet To be utterly exhausted.
- fall flat on one's face To fail completely and embarrassingly.
- burst someone's bubble To destroy someone's illusion or happy belief.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- She sells seashells by the seashore. The definitive 's' versus 'sh' alternation — the tongue has to switch place of articulati…
- Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A relentless 'p' plosive drill; a peck is an old dry measure of about nine litres.
- Unique New York. Three words that jam the 'y/n/k' sequence together — repeat it and it collapses into 'you…
Keep exploring