The phrase "underlying reason" means the hidden or real cause behind a situation or problem. It refers to the deeper explanation or motivation that is not immediately obvious. Full definition
Your veterinarian can look for underlying reasons for the ear infection, test the discharge, perform a deep cleaning, and treat the ears medically. (blog.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com)
When purchasing life insurance, there are many underlying reasons why the applicant may be doing so. (burialinsuranceplans.org)
There are a number of underlying reasons for these trends including higher ebook prices as well as the adult coloring book phenomenon. (jwikert.typepad.com)