hidden issue

/ˈhɪd.n̩ ˈɪs.juː/
noun phrase★Intermediate
◆ What It Really Means
A problem that is not immediately obvious but exists beneath the surface.
Literal Meaning
A problem that is physically or metaphorically concealed.
Literal Breakdown
hiddennot visible or openly acknowledged+issuea problem or matter
◇ Mental Image
The mental picture of something that is concealed or not openly discussed, often requiring deeper investigation to uncover.
◈ When to Use
During a team meeting, a manager might say, 'We need to address the hidden issues in our project timeline to avoid delays.'
◉ Cultural Note
The phrase is commonly used in professional and analytical contexts to describe problems that are not apparent at first glance but require attention.
formalinformal

A problem or concern that is not immediately obvious or openly acknowledged but exists beneath the surface.

The company's financial report revealed several hidden issues that had been overlooked for years.

The audit uncovered hidden issues in the project's budget that no one had noticed before.

💡

Often used in contexts like business, psychology, or technical fields to describe problems that are not apparent at first glance.

Collocations

uncover hidden issuesto discover problems that were previously unknownaddress hidden issuesto deal with or resolve problems that were not openly discussed

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

elephant in the roomidiom
an obvious problem or issue that people avoid discussing
skeletons in the closetidiom
hidden or embarrassing secrets

💡Pro Tip

Usage in Business

In business contexts, 'hidden issue' often refers to financial, operational, or strategic problems that are not immediately visible but could have significant consequences.

⚡Gold Rule

Clarity in Communication

When discussing hidden issues, provide evidence or data to support your claims to avoid misunderstandings.

📖Word Origin

Combination of the adjective 'hidden' (not visible or openly acknowledged) and the noun 'issue' (a problem or matter).

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in professional and analytical contexts to describe problems that require deeper investigation.

Word Breakdown

hidden
not visible or openly acknowledged
adjective
+
issue
a problem or matter
noun
English Dictionary