unterlaufen

Unterlaufen is a German verb that has both literal and figurative meanings. Literally, it describes something that passes under or runs beneath another object, often through erosion or intrusion. Figuratively, it denotes undermining, bypassing, or slipping past safeguards, rules, or plans.

Etymology and form: the verb is built from the prefix unter- (under) and the verb laufen (to run). It is used with a direct object when referring to what is being undermined or bypassed, and it can appear in various tenses and voices, including passive constructions.

Usage and examples: in its physical sense, it is used in hydrology, engineering, and related fields. For example, Der Fluss unterläuft den Damm translates roughly to The river undermines the dam. In the figurative sense, it is common in discussions of security, law, and policy. For instance, Die Sicherheitsvorkehrungen wurden unterlaufen means the security precautions were circumvented or breached, and Jemand versucht, die Regeln zu unterlaufen means someone is trying to bypass the rules.

Notes: the term commonly appears in both active and passive constructions and is used with different subjects depending on whether the context is literal (structures and substances) or figurative (systems, rules, or plans). In political, legal, or security contexts it expresses that an intended boundary or safeguard has been compromised by covert or unintended means.