1 (underestimate) [of rate, level, growth] subestimación; (f) these figures are an understatement estas cifras son una subestimación
while the official number of people carrying the virus is low, the figure is described by health ministry officials as an understatement This is probably another understatement
2 (not exaggeration) I think that's something of an understatement creo que eso es quedarse corto; to say I'm disappointed is an understatement decir que estoy desilusionado es quedarse corto
to say it was good is quite an understatement
interesting? that's the understatement of the year! ¿interesante? ¡eso es quedarse corto!
to say he's insensitive is the understatement of the year! to say that I felt awful would have been the understatement of the year He was getting very hard to live with, and that's the understatement of the year "Joey's not sensitive to other people's feelings" - "that's the understatement of the century" "He's just so wonderful." - "wonderful is the understatement of the year" "interesting" - "that's the understatement of the year!" the understatement of the year
3 (restraint) moderación; (f) typical British understatement la típica moderación británica; el típico comedimiento británico; (formal)
They had been speaking with the deliberate understatement of professional people After I stopped for tyres the car was all right for a couple of laps and then developed understeer again
