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on the surface

on the surface idiom

Superficially, to all outward appearances, as in On the surface he appeared brave and patriotic, but his troops knew better. [Early 1700s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Browse dictionary definitions near on the surface

on the string
on the strength of
on the street
on the square
on the spur of the moment
on the spot
on the sly
on the skids
on the sidelines
on the sidelines

on the table
on the take
on the tapis
on the tip of one's tongue
on the tip of the tongue
on the town
on the track
on the up-and-up
on the uptake
on the verge of

on the surface

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