under the hood
Where mechanics look
Under the hood means inside the machinery or inner workings of something.
The phrase comes from automobile engines, accessed by lifting the hood.
It now applies to any hidden mechanism or technical detail: Let's look under the hood at how this algorithm works.
The phrase implies complexity that casual users don't need to see but experts might examine.
- engineMachine producing motion
- source codeProgramming instructions before compilation
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
- circuit boardElectronics interconnection substrate
- alternatorMechanical-to-electrical energy converter
line of code · algorithm · transmission · compiler · foundation · root cause · nitty gritty · prototype · radiator · database · behind the scenes · runtime environment · inner workings · debugging tools · bare metal · carburetor · hidden layers · secret sauce
- car talkpedal to the metal, hit the gas, step on it, floor it, burn rubber
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
under the hoodon the surface
In apparent aspect only
on display · visible · in plain sight · out in the open · above board
under the hoodat a glance
With minimal examination
surface-level · superficial · skin-deep · high-level · big picture