underestimation
/ˌʌn.dəˈres.tɪ.mət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌn.dɚˈes.tə.mət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌʌn.dəˈres.tɪ.meɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌn.dɚˈes.tə.meɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-dər-ˈe-stə-ˌmāt How to pronounce underestimate (audio)/ (ame, mw)
underestimation — 名詞
1. a judgment about the amount, size, cost, or difficulty of something that turns o
低估；輕估
對數量、成本等的過低判斷
a judgment about the amount, size, cost, or difficulty of something that turns out to be too low because the real figure or level was higher
The project's $50,000 budget was a serious underestimation — the real cost was nearly three times that.
這個專案五萬美元的預算是嚴重低估——實際成本將近三倍於此。
collocation: serious underestimation
Weather reports sometimes contain an underestimation of how strong a storm will be.
天氣預報有時會低估暴風雨的強度。
pattern: underestimation + of + clause
The company's early underestimation of online shopping demand cost them millions in lost sales.
該公司早期對網路購物需求的低估，使他們損失了數百萬美元的銷售額。
The team's underestimation of repair time left drivers stuck in traffic for weeks.
團隊對維修時間的低估，讓駕駛人連續數週陷入車陣中。
- miscalculation
broader term; can be too high or too low, while underestimation is only too low
- undervaluation
focuses on monetary or worth-based judgments; more formal
- underestimate (noun)
informal synonym; less common in formal writing
- overestimation
a judgment that is too high rather than too low
文法句型
underestimation + of + noun
用法筆記
Often used with adjectives like gross, serious, or massive to emphasise the size of the mistake. Countable when referring to a specific instance (an underestimation), uncountable when speaking generally.
常見錯誤
underestimation — 動詞
- underestimationpresent simple I / you / we / they
- underestimations3rd person singular
- underestimationing-ing form
- underestimationedpast simple
1. to think or calculate that the amount, cost, size, or difficulty of something is
低估（數額）
錯誤地認為數量較實際小
to think or calculate that the amount, cost, size, or difficulty of something is smaller or lower than it really is, leading to a wrong conclusion or plan
The builders underestimated the cost of materials by nearly forty percent.
建築商把材料成本低估了將近百分之四十。
collocation: underestimate + cost + by [amount]
Yumi underestimated how long it would take to drive across Jakarta during rush hour.
Yumi 低估了在尖峰時段開車穿越雅加達所需的時間。
pattern: underestimate + how + adjective + clause
No one should underestimate the amount of preparation needed for a marathon.
任何人都不應該低估跑馬拉松需要做的準備工作。
The organisers greatly underestimated the number of people who would attend the free concert.
主辦單位大大低估了願意參加免費演唱會的人數。
Elena underestimated the distance to the lake and ran out of water before reaching it.
Elena 低估了到湖邊的距離，還沒到目的地水就喝光了。
- miscalculate
implies a numerical error; can be an over- or underestimate, while underestimate is always too low
- misjudge
broader — includes non-numerical contexts (e.g. character, mood)
- undervalue
focuses on monetary worth rather than quantity or difficulty
- overestimate
to think something is larger, more costly, or more difficult than it really is
文法句型
underestimate + noun phrase (the cost / the difficulty / the time)
underestimate + wh-clause (what it would take / how long it would last)
用法筆記
Frequently used with adverbs like greatly, seriously, or severely to indicate the size of the mistake. The object is typically a noun phrase referring to a measurable thing (cost, time, difficulty, size, distance).
常見錯誤
2. to form an unfairly low opinion of someone's ability, strength, intelligence, or
低估（能力）
對他人的實力抱持過低評價
to form an unfairly low opinion of someone's ability, strength, intelligence, or determination, often leading to a wrong result or surprise
Never underestimate your opponent in a chess tournament — even a beginner can surprise you.
下棋時絕對不要低估對手——即使是新手也可能讓你大吃一驚。
common expression: never underestimate [someone]
The coach had underestimated the young swimmer's determination to win.
教練低估了那位年輕泳將奪冠的決心。
pattern: underestimate + someone's + [quality]
Lukas underestimated how much his grandmother knew about using social media apps.
Lukas 低估了他祖母對使用社群媒體應用程式的了解程度。
The manager underestimated Deepa's ability to lead the team through the crisis.
主管低估了 Deepa 帶領團隊度過危機的能力。
Amara's classmates underestimated her intelligence because she rarely spoke in class.
Amara 的同學因為她上課很少發言而低估了她的聰明才智。
- underrate
very close in meaning; slightly more formal, often used in reviews or rankings
- misjudge
broader — can refer to a person's character, mood, or intentions, not just ability
- sell someone short
informal idiom; to fail to recognise someone's true worth
- overestimate
to think someone is more skilled, strong, or capable than they really are
- overrate
to give too high a value or rating to someone
文法句型
underestimate + someone
underestimate + someone's + ability / strength / skill / determination
underestimate + how + adjective + someone is
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense takes a person (or a person's quality) as the object, not a measurable quantity. Frequently used in warnings and advice (Never underestimate…). The object can be a person, a group, or a personal attribute (strength, ability, intelligence).