scratch the surface

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Idioms and Phrases

Investigate or treat something superficially, as in This feed-the-hungry program only scratches the surface of the problem , or Her survey course barely scratches the surface of economic history . This metaphoric term transfers shallow markings made in a stone or other material to a shallow treatment of a subject or issue. [Early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

Scratch the surface of American politics or culture, and medievalism seems to always be lurking just beneath.

From Slate

Scratch the surface even a millimeter, and it's evident Kennedy has a hostile, even eliminationist attitude towards anyone he has decided doesn't meet his esoteric standard of physical fitness.

From Salon

These barely scratch the surface of what “Twin Peaks” came to mean to TV and popular culture more broadly, and if you need a reminder or have yet to fall under the spell of Kyle MacLachlan’s FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, now is the time.

From Salon

There are also enameled cast-iron pans that you don’t need to season, however, while you can put them in the oven and use them at high heat, the enameled coating does mean you can’t use metal utensils and must be careful not to scratch the surface.

From Salon

These figures only scratch the surface, as many victims don’t report such crimes.

From BBC

Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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