below the waterline
idiomPart ofwaterline
below the waterline — idiom
1. Used figuratively to describe problems, weaknesses, or damage that are hidden or
1.idiom
Definition
Used figuratively to describe problems, weaknesses, or damage that are hidden or not obvious to others, like part of a ship that is underwater.
Example
The company's financial troubles stayed below the waterline until the annual report was published.
Noa felt that the team's real problems were below the waterline, invisible to the new manager.