He tries to fly under the radar at work.
fly under the radar
idiomTo go unnoticed, especially for a long period of time.
Origin
disputed originFrom military contexts, where aircraft would fly low to avoid being detected by radar.
The company kept its new project secret to fly under the radar until the official launch.
By maintaining a modest lifestyle and avoiding public attention, the author managed to fly under the radar for decades while writing her best-selling novels.
- 01
drop off the radar
To vanish or fall into obscurity; to become forgotten or ignored.
- 02
fly blind
To do by guesswork; to feel one's way.
- 03
fly by
To pass or go past quickly, often without much interaction
- 04
fly by the seat of one's pants
To pilot an aircraft without the aid of instruments and without a flight plan, using only instinct, visual observation, and practical judgment.
- 05
fly in the face of
To act in a manner highly contrary to; to counteract or contradict.
- 06
fly in the ointment
Something (especially a minor thing) which ruins or spoils everything else, or makes it less pleasant; a nuisance or problem; a disagreeable or unpleasant detail.
- 07
fly low
To have one's fly (zipper) undone.
- 08
fly off
To flee rapidly; to run away.
Last updated April 17, 2026