on the surface

Frequency: 8.822.0 per million words

Can be used figuratively to mean 'when considering only the obvious details'.

surfacePREPOSITION + surface

Categories:

on a/the

Examples (10)

  • On the surface, he seemed calm, but underneath he was furious.
  • The report was accurate on the surface, but it missed crucial details.
  • The political situation is stable on the surface, but tensions are rising.
  • On the surface, the plan seemed foolproof, but it had major flaws.
  • She presented a cheerful demeanor on the surface to hide her true feelings.
  • While the economy looks strong on the surface, there are underlying issues.
  • On the surface, the argument was about money, but it was really about trust.
  • The treaty appeared fair on the surface, but its clauses were restrictive.
  • His apology seemed genuine on the surface, but his actions told a different story.
  • On the surface, the project was progressing well, but behind the scenes, there were problems.