below the surface
Not openly visible
Below the surface describes what lies underneath an outer layer—literally beneath water or ground, figuratively beneath appearances.
The phrase usually signals hidden depth: Below the surface, she was struggling with doubt.
Things below the surface aren't immediately visible but may be discovered with effort or attention: The article barely scratched below the surface of the scandal.
- tip of the icebergVisible portion suggesting hidden mass
- introspectiveExamining one's own mind
- submergedBelow water's surface
- under the skinBeneath outer tissue layer
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
subconscious · buried · exploratory · investigative · latent · stratified · underlying · profound · hidden depths · hidden · subterranean · cavernous · undercurrent · still waters · murky waters · veiled · enigmatic · probing
below the surfaceon display
on the surface · out in the open · in plain sight · visible · exposed
below the surfaceon the surface
In apparent aspect only
on top · aboveground · floating · surfaced · afloat
below the surfaceobvious
Easily perceived, unmistakable
explicit · plain · self-evident · clear · unmistakable
below, surface, lower, lowest, lowness, lowering, lowered, face, faces