underlying purpose

[/ˌʌndərˈlaɪɪŋ ˈpɜrpəs/]
noun phrasepl: underlying purposes
propósito subjacente
1. The real or fundamental intention or goal that exists beneath the surface of something; the true reason or objective that is not immediately obvious
The underlying purpose of the new policy is to reduce costs, not to improve employee satisfaction.
O propósito subjacente da nova política é reduzir custos, não melhorar a satisfação dos funcionários.
2. The main reason or objective that motivates an action, statement, or decision, often hidden or implicit rather than explicitly stated
We need to understand the underlying purpose of this meeting before we can proceed.
Precisamos entender o propósito subjacente desta reunião antes de prosseguir.
This phrase is commonly used in both American and Brazilian business contexts to discuss unstated motivations in corporate decisions. In Brazil, it reflects a cultural awareness that official explanations may differ from actual intentions, and is frequently used in political and organizational discourse to analyze deeper motivations behind public statements.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
hidden purposetrue intentionreal objectivefundamental goalactual reasoncore motive
Antonyms / Antônimos
stated purposeexplicit objectiveobvious intentionsurface reason

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
propósito subjacente
Most common and formal usage across Brazil
General Brazilian
objetivo real
Alternative, slightly more direct translation
Portugal
propósito subjacente
Same usage as Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
intenção implícita
Slightly more formal alternative in European Portuguese

Related Words

purposeintentionmotiveobjectivegoalrationalereason

Related Idioms & Phrases

read between the lines
get to the bottom of something
get at the root of
what it's really all about
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