english
1
general::
prep.
lower position:
There is a name under the painting.
prep.
beneath surface:
It was under the table.
prep.
less than:
It costs under five dollars.
prep.
because of:
Under those conditions I can't go.
prep.
obligation of:
We were under contract.
Simple Definitions
2
general::
under
something that is under something else has that thing directly above it or covering it:
• The pen was under the desk. • She had a T-shirt on under her sweater.
below
in a lower position than something else, though not always directly under it:
• From the cliffs we could barely see the people on the beach below us. • His apartment is below ours on the left.
underneath
under – used especially to emphasize that something covers, touches, or hides something:
• The girls wear shorts underneath their cheerleading skirts. • I found the book underneath the sofa.
beneath
formal under or at a lower level:
• They strolled hand in hand beneath the summer moon. • The water lies just beneath the surface of the earth.
Longman-Thesaurus
3
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with UNDER, Also see BELOW (UNDER) PAR; BORN UNDER A LUCKY STAR; BUCKLE UNDER; COME UNDER; CUT THE GROUND FROM UNDER; DON'T LET THE GRASS GROW UNDER ONE'S FEET; EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK (UNDER THE SUN); FALL UNDER; FALSE COLORS, SAIL UNDER; GET UNDER SOMEONE'S SKIN; GO UNDER; HIDE ONE'S LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL; HOT UNDER THE COLLAR; KEEP UNDER ONE'S HAT; KNOCK THE BOTTOM OUT (PROPS OUT FROM UNDER); KNUCKLE UNDER; LIGHT A FIRE UNDER; NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN; OF (UNDER) AGE; OUT FROM UNDER; PLOW UNDER; PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER; PUT THE SKIDS UNDER; SIX FEET UNDER; SNOW UNDER; SWEEP UNDER THE RUG; WATER OVER THE DAM (UNDER THE BRIDGE).
American Heritage Idioms