undertow

• Substantivo que designa a corrente submarina que puxa a água de volta para o mar após as ondas quebrarem na praia; em sentido figurado, uma tendência ou influência oculta contrária ao sentimento ou à corrente 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.

   Corrente de retorno

   • 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.

   Sinônimosundercurrent

   Antônimosonshoreshoreward

2. Hidden or contrary feelingC1formal

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

   Sentimento oculto ou contrário

   • 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.

   Sinônimosovertoneundercurrent