in the shade

[English4everyone]

It's a long time that Iran has been under international sanctions. But some believe an Iran under sanctions is more dangerous. They say Iran can move faster in the shade of sanctions.Is the last sentence natural? I mean " in the shade of sanctions".

[SoothingDave]

Yes, if the sanctions are providing a "cover" which prevents people from seeing what Iran is doing.

[English4everyone]

No, it's not secret. Let me give you another example. I'm wondering if it can have a literary meaning.People can be healthier in the shade of doing exercise.A society can be happier in the shade of respecting each other.

[5jj]

People can be healthier in the shade of doing exercise.A society can be happier in the shade of respecting each other.

Those two sentences mean nothing to me.

[SoothingDave]

No, it's not secret. Let me give you another example. I'm wondering if it can have a literary meaning.People can be healthier in the shade of doing exercise.A society can be happier in the shade of respecting each other.

The sanctions are not secret, but they are an alternative to having inspectors from the UN. So Iran can continue doing secret things because there are no inspectors. They operate in the dark. It is not the sanctions themselves which provide the shade, so it's a poor phrase. But the meaning comes through.

[BobK]

.... maybe, with a lot of coaxing It's - at best - unusual to use 'in the shade of' in that way.

b