- scratch the surface
- phrasal
: to make a beginning on a project, progress, a solution of a problem, a field of inquiry, or an investigation
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scratch the surface see under ↑surface• • •Main Entry: ↑scratch————————scratch the surfaceTo deal only superficially with an issue or problem• • •Main Entry: ↑surface* * *
scratch the surface phraseto deal with only the simple or obvious parts of somethingWe had only really scratched the surface of this fascinating country.
Thesaurus: to think about something in a casual waysynonymMain entry: scratch* * *
1) deal with a matter only in the most superficial wayresearch has only scratched the surface of the paranormal
2) initiate the briefest investigation to discover something concealedthey have a boring image, but scratch the surface and it's fascinating
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scratch the surface: to deal with or learn about only a small part of somethingIf you think she only did it for the money, you haven't even scratched the surface. [=there are many other factors, reasons, etc., involved]
There's so much to learn about this subject. I feel like I've only scratched the surface.
• • •Main Entry: ↑scratch————————• • •Main Entry: ↑surface
Useful english dictionary. 2012.