低空(ていくう)

ていくう
noun
low altitude
transportationdescriptive
1. low altitude; low in the sky
A position relatively close to the ground. Used for aircraft, flying objects, and figuratively for performing at a minimal level.
低空(ていくう)で飛(と)ぶ。
To fly at low altitude.
ヘリコプターが低空(ていくう)飛行(ひこう)していた。
A helicopter was flying at low altitude.
今学期(こんがっき)の成績(せいせき)は低空(ていくう)飛行(ひこう)だったが、なんとか単位(たんい)は取(と)れた。
My grades this semester were just barely scraping by, but I managed to earn my credits.

低空(ていくう) means low altitude — close to the ground. Most commonly encountered in the compound 低空(ていくう)飛行(ひこう).

Forms

低(てい) (low) + 空(くう) (sky/air)

Common collocations

Usage

低空(ていくう)飛行(ひこう) is widely used figuratively to mean "barely scraping by" or "performing at the minimum acceptable level." Example: 成績(せいせき)は低空(ていくう)飛行(ひこう)だ (grades are just barely passing).

Similar words

高空(こうくう) (high altitude).