undercover

/'ʌndə,kʌvə/

Thân thiện

An undercover agent discreetly observes a meeting in a public park.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Done or working in a secret way to obtain information or achieve a goal: Used to describe activities, operations, or people that are hidden from public view or knowledge, often for purposes of investigation, espionage, or covert action.
   • Involving secret work within an organization or group: Often implies infiltration or concealed identity to gather intelligence or evidence.

Usage

• The adjective "undercover" is typically used before a noun to modify it (e.g., , ).
• It describes the method or nature of an activity or role, emphasizing secrecy and concealment of true identity or purpose.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The journalist went undercover as a factory worker to expose the illegal labor practices.
  • The police conducted an undercover investigation into the drug ring.
  • She worked for years as an undercover operative for the intelligence agency.

Advanced Usage

• "to go undercover": This common verb phrase means to assume a false identity and live or work secretly to gather information.
  • The officer had to go undercover to infiltrate the criminal organization.
• "undercover work" / "undercover assignment": Refers to the general activity or a specific task done secretly.
  • His undercover work was crucial to solving the case.

Variants and Related Words

• Covert (adj): Not openly acknowledged or displayed; secret. (e.g., ). While similar, "covert" can be slightly more formal and broad, while "undercover" often implies an active, infiltrative role.
• Clandestine (adj): Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit. (e.g., ).
• Surreptitious (adj): Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of. (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Secret
• Covert
• Clandestine
• Hidden
• Concealed

Antonyms

• Overt
• Open
• Public
• Aboveboard

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Undercover agent / officer / cop: A law enforcement or intelligence officer who works in secret.
  • The movie is about an undercover agent in a mafia family.
• Undercover operation / mission / sting: A planned secret activity, often to catch criminals.
  • The undercover operation successfully dismantled the smuggling network.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
   • clandestine intelligence operations
   • cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines
   • hole-and-corner intrigue
   • secret missions
   • a secret agent
   • secret sales of arms
   • surreptitious mobilization of troops
   • an undercover investigation
   • underground resistance

Từ đồng nghĩa

• clandestine
• cloak-and-dagger
• hole-and-corner
• hugger-mugger
• hush-hush
• secret
• surreptitious
• underground