underdirect

To exert too little artistic control when directing (a play or film).

Verb

  1. To exert too little artistic control when directing (a play or film).
    • Despite the seeming interest of the screenplay, Romero underdirects the entire effort, sending his actors through their paces without bothering to make them believe in the film. - 1971 fall, John R. Davoli, quotee,...
    • I think he underdirects because he wants the script — the text — to be in control. - 1987 January, James Palmarini, “Rick Cluchey: A Beckett disciple's long journey from San Quentin to Notre Dame”, in Dramatics, volume...
    • We think it is time that some one explained to him, before he overacts and underdirects another feature picture for Broadway consumption, that while art suffereth long and is kind, cheapness and vulgarity are something...
  2. To provide too little guidance or direction.
    • The opinion is expressed that time is wasted by misdirected or underdirected visiting of schools. - 1913, Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, Proceedings of the Annual Convention - Volumes...
    • They should neither overdirect nor underdirect the program. - 1946, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations, Cancer Research:
    • When a meeting is either overdirected (Example A) or underdirected (Example B), you're in trouble. - 1982, Susan Dellinger, Communicating Effectively: A Complete Guide for Better Management, →ISBN:

Origin

From under- + direct.

Forms

underdirects underdirecting underdirected