underestimate

/ˌʌndəˈrestɪmeɪt/ verb [T]

Definition

› to think that something is or will be smaller, easier, less extreme, or less important than it really is: The company sorely underestimated demand and is struggling to expand output. Court interpreters say the skills required to do the job are underestimated.

› to think that someone is worse at doing something, less intelligent, etc. than they really are: Sometimes his modest manner led people to underestimate him.

(Definition of underestimate verb from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Focus on the pronunciation of underestimate