bubble under

Verb

 * 1)  To remain beneath a level.
 * The results bubbled under the limit.
 * 1)  To be in the background or margins of a phenomenon.
 * The Republicans were bubbling under in the area, waiting for an electoral break.
 * 1)  To be successful on a modest scale, without yet being fully established.
 * The band was still bubbling under then, but their fame was about to explode.