Under Meaning
Under Definition & Usage
In a lower position or beneath something.
Examples
- "The cat is hiding under the table."
- "She found the keys under the couch."
- "The treasure was buried under the sand."
- "The book fell under the bed."
- "The restaurant is located just under the bridge."
Less than or beneath a specific amount or limit.
Examples
- "The temperature fell under 10°C last night."
- "Under 50 people attended the concert."
- "He earns under $50,000 a year."
- "The company has underperformed this quarter."
- "Under no circumstances should you open the door."
In a lower position or direction, usually referring to physical or metaphorical movement.
Examples
- "The plane flew under the clouds."
- "She crouched down and went under the table."
- "He dived under the water."
- "The car skidded under the overpass."
- "The bridge arches under the weight of the trucks."
In a state of being beneath or dominated by something, often used metaphorically.
Examples
- "He was under stress from the work deadline."
- "She felt under pressure to perform well."
- "The country was under martial law for several months."
- "I feel like I’m always under scrutiny at work."
- "The team has been underperforming this season."
Cultural Context
The word 'under' has its roots in Old English ('under', 'undir'), which has carried over into modern usage in various contexts, often referring to physical position, states of being, or limits.
The Journey Beneath the City
Story
The Journey Beneath the City
In the heart of the bustling city, Sarah wandered through the streets, her mind weighed down by the stress of the day. She had just lost her job, and the future felt uncertain. She walked past the towering buildings, the noise of the traffic almost drowned out by the buzz of her own thoughts. It wasn’t until she stumbled upon a small alley that she noticed something different—an old, weathered door beneath the steps of a forgotten bookstore. The door wasn’t marked, but curiosity pushed her forward. With a deep breath, she opened it, stepping down into the unknown. The moment Sarah descended the creaky stairs, the temperature seemed to drop. It felt as though she was stepping into a different world entirely, one where time moved slower. The narrow path led her to a secret garden beneath the city’s foundation, with flowers blooming in the darkness. Here, under the shelter of the ancient trees, she found the peace she had been craving. She realized that sometimes, in life, you have to go under the surface to find what truly matters. Under the weight of her own worries, she had found something precious. It wasn’t just a place—it was a reminder that sometimes you have to go beneath the noise and expectations of the world to discover your own path. As she left the secret garden, Sarah knew that despite the challenges ahead, she was under no illusion: life would continue, but she would be ready for whatever came her way. The city above was loud and relentless, but down here, she had found her calm. The journey beneath the city had been her escape, but now it had become her strength.
Related Words
