undertow

• Nom désignant un courant sous-marin qui se dirige vers le large après que les vagues se sont brisées sur le rivage, ou, au sens figuré, une tendance ou une influence cachée qui s'oppose au sentiment ou à la direction dominante.

A noun referring to a seaward undercurrent created after waves have broken on the shore, or metaphorically, an underlying inclination contrary to the prevailing feeling or trend.

1. Seaward undercurrentB2formal

   A strong, often dangerous, underwater current that flows away from the shore, created by waves breaking on the beach.

   contre-courant de retour (courant d'arrachement)

   • Swimmers were warned about the dangerous undertow at the beach.
   • The undertow pulled the debris back out to sea.
   • Even strong swimmers can be caught off guard by a powerful undertow.

   Synonymesundercurrent

   Antonymesonshoreshoreward

2. Hidden or contrary feelingC1formal

   A hidden or underlying feeling or influence that opposes the main or most obvious one.

   sous-courant

   • Beneath his cheerful demeanor, there was an undertow of sadness.
   • The political speech had an undertow of resentment towards the opposition.
   • She felt an undertow of anxiety despite her outward calm.

   Synonymesovertoneundercurrent