on the surface
At first glance
On the surface describes what appears true at first glance, before deeper examination.
The phrase implies a contrast between appearance and reality: On the surface, the company looked profitable.
It can modify a statement or stand alone as a caveat: The plan seems simple—on the surface, anyway.
- apparentClearly seen or understood
- exteriorOuter portion
- paper thinExtremely flimsy or slight
- externalLocated on outside
- ostensibleStated but questionable
facade · veneer · cursory · seeming · skin deep · observable · latent · prima facie · hidden · underlying · outwardly · shallow · at first glance · visible · layer · subtext · deep · profound
on the surfacein depth
Exhaustively detailed
deeply · thoroughly · fundamentally · at its core · below the surface
on the surfacein reality
Expressing what's true
fundamentally · in truth · at heart · essentially · deep down
on the surfacebeneath the surface
Below what's apparent
below the surface · underwater · underground · deep inside · submerged
face, surface, superficial, surfaces, resurface, surfaced, surfacing, resurfaced, resurfacing