# on the surface

**Pronunciation:** /ɒn ðə ˈsɜːfɪs/ · on thuh SUR-fis

**Part of speech:** prepositional phrase

## Meaning

Appearing a certain way when first considered, before one looks deeper or discovers hidden complexities. It describes initial impressions that may differ from reality.

## Examples

- On the surface, the business deal seemed profitable, but hidden liabilities soon emerged.
- They appeared to have a flawless relationship on the surface.
- The math problem looked simple on the surface, but it required a complex formula.

## Synonyms

- outwardly — Focuses strictly on how something appears to others from the outside.
- ostensibly — Formal term meaning stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.

## Antonyms

- underneath — Refers to the actual reality hidden beneath the external appearance.
- deep down — Refers to true feelings or true nature as opposed to outward appearances.

## Common patterns

- on the surface, [clause] — Used at the beginning of a sentence to set up a contrast with a deeper reality. — On the surface, the proposal looked great, but it had serious flaws.

## Collocations

- appear on the surface — The difficulty of the project did not appear on the surface.
- seem on the surface — Things are rarely as simple as they seem on the surface.

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