Scratch the surface
Investigate or treat something superficially, as in This feed-the-hungry program only scratches the surface of the problem, or Her survey course barely scratches the surface of economic history. This metaphoric term transfers shallow markings made in a stone or other material to a shallow treatment of a subject or issue. [ Early 1900s ]
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- Scratch together
verb 1. (transitive, adverb) to assemble with difficulty: he scratched up a team for the football match
- Scratch up
scrape up
- Scratch video
noun 1. the technique or practice of recycling images from films or television to make collages
- Scratch-wig
noun 1. a short wig, especially one that covers only part of the head.
- Scratchy
adjective, scratchier, scratchiest. 1. causing or liable to cause a slight grating noise: a scratchy record. 2. consisting of or marked by scratches: a scratchy drawing. 3. uneven; haphazard: He plays a scratchy game. 4. causing itching or other minor irritation of the skin: a scratchy woolen sweater. 5. causing or liable to cause a […]