scratch the surface

Idioms  

1. 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

But scratch the surface and the identity of the group is a fluid blend of cultures.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

The 13 films below only scratch the surface of Corman’s huge filmography, but they do provide a glimpse into his ambition and his sensibility as both a director and a micro studio boss.

From New York Times • May 12, 2024

"And with these mice, not only can we scratch the surface, but we can dig underneath."

From Science Daily • May 6, 2024

Ms Babst said the government's new contract will only "scratch the surface" but it said it had listened to the profession.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2024

I could see that I was just beginning to scratch the surface of understanding race in America.

From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

Related Words

• gather
• interpret
• know
• learn
• refer to
• scan
• see
• study
• translate
• view