deep down
At bottom, basically. For example, Deep down she was a rebel, or Although he would never admit it, deep down he was very fond of her. [c. 1900]
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Examples from the Web for deep down
Historical Examples
There was a deep-down vibration in her tone for the first time.
The Arrow of GoldJoseph Conrad
Tom knew what purity meant, a deep-down purity like the earth itself.
The HiveWill Levington Comfort
I was still to understand it, and the deep-down scare in his eyes.
Some Persons UnknownE. W. Hornung
Nor will his deep-down love for you hinder him like it will hinder you.
Lin McLeanOwen Wister
Rebecca Mary on the woodshed floor sat and thought "deep-down" thoughts.
Rebecca MaryAnnie Hamilton Donnell