Phrase guide

under the microscope

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adv

Meaning 1

Under close scrutiny or examination.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: under the loupe, under the magnifying glass, under the spotlight

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see under, the, microscope.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: под лупа (pod lupa) — under close scrutiny
  • Greek: στο μικροσκόπιο (sto mikroskópio) — under close scrutiny
  • Greek: κάτω από το μικροσκόπιο (káto apó to mikroskópio) — under close scrutiny
  • Polish: pod lupę — under close scrutiny
  • Swedish: under luppen — under close scrutiny