scratch the surface

phrase

: to make a modest effort or start

Examples of scratch the surface in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still just 20, Stewart has electric potential and has yet to scratch the surface as a pass rusher. — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

The violence portrayed in the ring only scratched the surface of what occurred throughout the night. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Harsh cleaning powders and gels can scratch the surface, as can stiff brushes and scouring pads. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

The big data revolution was slow and, in many respects, incomplete; beyond large enterprises, countless organizations still barely scratch the surface of what data can do. — Nino Letteriello, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Rhymes for scratch the surface

• hypersurface
• undersurface
• resurface
• subsurface