important in a situation but not always easily noticed or stated clearly 根本的;潜在的;隐含的 The underlying assumption is that the amount of money available is limited. 隐含的假定是可用的资金有限。 Unemployment may be an underlying cause of the rising crime rate. 失业可能是犯罪率攀升的潜在原因。
Extra ExamplesDespite this month's disappointing figures, the underlying trend is healthy. 尽管本月的数字令人失望,但潜在的趋势却是健康的。 He has no illusions about the underlying reality of army life. 他对现实的军队生活不抱什么幻想。 She was not sure what his underlying motives were. 她吃不准他有什么潜在的动机。 The joke did not obscure the underlying seriousness of her point. 这个笑话没有掩盖她观点的潜在严重性。 The underlying reasons for these differences will be explored in depth in the next chapter. 这些差异的根本原因会在下一章节中详述。 Their policies have resulted in a definite underlying improvement in the economy. 他们的政策使经济发展明显取得了根本性的提高。
existing under the surface of something else 表面下的;下层的 the underlying rock formation 地表下的岩石结构
see also underlie