bubbling under
Nearly breaking through
Bubbling under describes something approaching but not yet reaching a threshold—typically a chart or ranking.
The phrase comes from Billboard magazine's "Bubbling Under" lists tracking songs just below the Hot 100: The single spent three weeks bubbling under before finally charting.
More broadly, it describes anything gaining momentum beneath the surface: Several candidates are bubbling under for the promotion.
- up-and-comerPromising newcomer gaining ground
- waiting in the wingsReady to act soon
- on the cuspAt a transition point
- rising starEmerging person of promise
- on the riseBecoming greater or more
next big thing · tipping point · gaining traction · building momentum · underground culture · microtrend · sleeper hit · slow burn · grassroots movement · cult following · word of mouth · dark horse · hidden gem · percolating · potential energy · breakout · buzz
- music chartsBillboard Hot 100, number one, chart-topper, top ten, pop charts
- chart termsnumber one, top ten, top forty, top twenty, top five
bubbling undernumber one
First in rank
chart-topping · hit · smash hit · mainstream hit · topping the charts
bubbling underfading
Gradual loss of intensity
on the way out · declining · peaked · washed up · falling off
bubbling underestablished
Formally set up
household name · well-known · mainstream · famous · arrived