touch the surface

Frequency: 6.89.4 per million words

Often used figuratively to mean dealing with only a small part of a subject or problem.

surfaceVERB + surface

Categories:

touch

Examples (10)

  • The investigation only managed to touch the surface of the complex issue.
  • With only a week to prepare, we could only touch the surface of the historical period.
  • The documentary touches the surface of the artist's troubled life.
  • His initial remarks barely touched the surface of the problems we face.
  • We've only just begun to touch the surface of what this new technology can do.
  • The article touches the surface of the economic crisis but doesn't delve deep.
  • During the introductory lecture, the professor will touch the surface of various theories.
  • Many books only touch the surface of their subjects, leaving readers wanting more.
  • The report was criticized for only touching the surface of the actual situation.
  • You can't truly understand the depth of the problem if you only touch the surface.