noun a superficial understanding or knowledge of a subject or problem
verb to only begin to understand or deal with a subject or problem
In technology, 'scratch the surface' is used to indicate that only the basic or introductory aspects of a software or system have been explored, with deeper functionalities remaining unexplored.
In education, 'scratch the surface' is used to suggest that students have only just started to understand a concept or subject, with much more learning required to grasp it fully.
In geology, 'scratch the surface' is used to describe the initial exploration or examination of a particular area or topic, usually implying that there is much more to uncover beneath the surface.
In research, 'scratch the surface' is used to convey the idea of only beginning to delve into a complex topic or issue, with much more in-depth study needed to fully understand it.
In the context of a writer, 'scratch the surface' can be used to indicate that a topic or idea has only been briefly explored and there is much more depth to be uncovered.
A psychologist might use 'scratch the surface' to describe the initial stages of therapy where only surface-level issues have been addressed, with deeper issues still needing to be explored.
For a researcher, 'scratch the surface' could refer to preliminary findings or data that only provide a superficial understanding of a topic, with further investigation needed to uncover more meaningful insights.
In education, 'scratch the surface' might be used to describe a basic understanding of a concept that needs to be delved into further for a more comprehensive understanding.
In consulting, 'scratch the surface' could indicate that only the surface-level problems or issues have been identified, with a more in-depth analysis required to fully address the situation.
For a lawyer, 'scratch the surface' might be used to describe a superficial examination of a legal case or issue, with further investigation needed to uncover all relevant details.
In medicine, 'scratch the surface' could refer to a preliminary diagnosis or assessment that only addresses the most obvious symptoms, with further testing or evaluation needed for a more accurate understanding of the patient's condition.
For a financial analyst, 'scratch the surface' might indicate a basic analysis of financial data or trends that only provides a surface-level understanding, with deeper analysis needed for more informed decision-making.