How to Use scratch the surface in a Sentence

scratch the surface

phrase

• Lift pans and set them down gently to avoid scratching the surface.
  — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2026
• But scarier still is the idea that these Bears may have just scratched the surface.
  — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
• Harsh cleaning powders and gels can scratch the surface, as can stiff brushes and scouring pads.
  — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
• For textured handles or seams where grime tends to hide, an old soft toothbrush can help loosen residue without scratching the surface.
  — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
• And yet, it could be argued that this list of likely candidates barely scratches the surface.
  — Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 2026
• The violence portrayed in the ring only scratched the surface of what occurred throughout the night.
  — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
• Allowing dirt and debris to sit on your floors can damage or scratch the surface during everyday use or when mopping.
  — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
• 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
• Flores says this helps prevent dirt and debris from being rubbed into and scratching the surface during the cleaning process.
  — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026
• The stage, meanwhile belongs now to Fecht, who feels like the Blackhawks are only scratching the surface.
  — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
• This is just scratching the surface—for more sweater-dress styling tips and outfit ideas using all the fall and winter fashion trends, keep reading below.
  — India Roby, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2026
• Of course, focusing on racing only scratches the surface of Waltrip’s life.
  — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 24 Sep. 2026
• Avoid abrasive scrubbers or harsh chemicals that could scratch the surface and compromise the protective coating over time.
  — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
• The father, Mike, played center at Illinois State, but that only scratches the surface.
  — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
• It can be used for scratching the surface of materials such as metal or stone, plus it can be used to break automotive glass in emergencies.
  — Ben Coxworth july 14, New Atlas, 14 July 2026
• Investigators found that those allegations only scratched the surface of the amount of fraud that was believed to have occurred.
  — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
• One visit is just scratching the surface of the isthmus nation; here are nine ideas for how to spend your next Panamanian holiday.
  — Siobhan Reid, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2024
• But The Five-Star Weekend seems content to merely scratch the surface of her emotions, not break through to process them.
  — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
• But this type of reactive investigation only scratches the surface of the problem, meaning most cases slip through the cracks.
  — Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 July 2026
• Johnston, who played with McTavish in Anaheim the past three seasons, called him a heavy, skilled forward who’s just scratching the surface.
  — Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
• The weight behind this work is generational, perhaps outside of time, and that intangible mystique is barely scratching the surface of what this brand offers its clientele.
  — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
• Known as the Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland has long appealed to adventurous travelers, but most only scratch the surface.
  — Gwen Nicol, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
• When possible, use wooden or plastic utensils to minimize the risk of scratching the surface during cooking, adds Castagnoli.
  — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 July 2026
• The album contains 10 rare recordings but doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of Paisley Park’s reported 8,000-song vault.
  — Keith Murphy, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
• Hieronimus believes L’Oréal is only scratching the surface of its adjacencies in body care, where consumers are looking for more performant products.
  — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
• 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
• At 23, Thompson is already one of the NBA’s elite perimeter defenders and has a budding offensive game that’s just scratching the surface.
  — William Guillory, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
• Yet even discovery, excavation and publication barely scratch the surface of a fossil’s scientific importance.
  — Kristi Curry Rogers, The Conversation, 14 July 2026
• The award cited South Beach’s ADA accessibility, picnic areas, concessions, and views—highlights that only scratch the surface.
  — Savannah Born, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026