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Under the radar screen

 

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  #1  
Old July 15, 2010, 08:53 PM
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Under the radar screen

I am not totally sure of the meaning of this expression. In my context may be equivalent to "under wraps" as in "kept secret or confidential".

So, I have 2 questions here,
1.) Exact meaning?
2.) Best translation into Spanish?

Thank you all for your input on this.
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  #2  
Old July 15, 2010, 09:20 PM
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Under the radar is a really good expression. It means keep so low a profile that radar wont sense you. Example: After robbing a few major banks in Chicago, he decided to let the money cool for awhile and go under the radar by getting a job pumping gas in South Jersey.

I don't know if disimularse is a valid word, bit I feel it fits the definition if
it means to hang low (not necessarily disguise oneself but not to make
yourself conspicuous.).
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  #3  
Old July 15, 2010, 09:24 PM
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It means to keep a low profile, which means to not draw any attention to oneself (no llamar la atención).

When the boss is mad, you try to avoid him/her, hoping to stay/keep/fly under the radar. The word 'screen' is not necessarily needed.
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  #4  
Old July 15, 2010, 09:24 PM
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Thank you, Poli. Your explanation makes total sense.
I think ''disimular'' may be a fitting word.
Also,
to keep a low profile = tratar de pasar desapercibido or de no llamar la atención

Thank you, Rusty, I was answering when I saw yours. (Good to know we can do without the 'screen', those are getting too expensive these days... )
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Last edited by JPablo; July 15, 2010 at 09:26 PM. Reason: Didn't see Rusty's answer.
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Old July 16, 2010, 12:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JPablo View Post
Thank you, Rusty, I was answering when I saw yours. (Good to know we can do without the 'screen', those are getting too expensive these days... )
A radar screen is probably cheaper than skirmishers
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Old July 16, 2010, 01:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pjt33 View Post
A radar screen is probably cheaper than skirmishers
I guess so... (Unless I am missing some hidden meaning here!)
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Old July 20, 2010, 01:48 PM
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Bueno, es algo etimológico. En tiempos de e.g. Napoleón un "screen" consistía en los soldados más avanzados, que iban por delante de las líneas regimentadas para evitar una emboscada.
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Old July 21, 2010, 03:02 AM
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Ah, entonces, "una pantalla de radar es probablemente más barata que un grupo de soldados que se enfrentan en escaramuzas"?

O sea, que la "pantalla/screen" de soldados de avanzadilla... ¿eran más baratos? No, eran vidas humanas... por fin caigo...

Un general de aquellos tiempos quizá no pensaría igual, a lo mejor decía: "Aaah... claro, un cuerpo humano viene a ser una serie de elementos químicos a un precio de 98 centavos la libra... claro, mucho más barato que el metal que se usa para los radares..." (En momentos de crisis económica es bueno saber estos datos... ) (Gracias por la aclaración... we'll keep all this classified information under the radar screen... just for now.)
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  #9  
Old July 21, 2010, 11:44 AM
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Una pantalla (interesante que sea la misma palabra) de soldados también requiere de logística y apoyo, y para cubrir la misma área que un radar pequeño montado sobre una colina hacen falta muchos. Hay que invertir para construir el radar (aunque también hay que invertir para entrenar los soldados) pero debe de costar menos en gastos diarios para mantenerlo en acción.
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Old July 22, 2010, 06:42 AM
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Bueno, usé 'pantalla' 'a bote pronto' la verdad es que no estoy seguro si se usa 'pantalla de soldados' como expresión común o de jerga militar... aunque supongo que la metáfora es trasponible y comprensible. Gracias por a la aclaración.
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