on the surface

Idioms and Phrases

Superficially, to all outward appearances, as in On the surface he appeared brave and patriotic, but his troops knew better . [Early 1700s]

Example Sentences

This means there are lots of sunspots on the surface which are like volcanoes and occasionally erupt.

From BBC

While the film’s execution seems expert on the surface, the internal narrative design is unfortunately ham-handed and woefully dull.

From Los Angeles Times

For Kondo, what to get rid of and what to keep boiled down to a self-interrogation that was, on the surface, instinctual: “Does it spark joy?”

From Los Angeles Times

On the surface, the Australian has had a traumatic start to the season.

From BBC

These scenes usually underscore the denouement of a character’s development throughout a week of unsettling vacation time, and none of the outcomes are generally good, even if they might seem to be on the surface.

From Salon

Related Words

• evidently
• officially
• seemingly
• supposedly