Scratch the surface meaning in English
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Definition
to scratch the surface (of a problem): to begin to deal with (a problem) superficially
to scratch: to claw at, to rub, to scrape, to mark
a surface: an exterior, a covering, the outside, a skin
Examples
- "We've done our best to incorporate new green ideas, but I fear we're only scratching the surface of what could be done."
Exercise 1
'I fear we're only scratching the surface of what could be done.'
This could also be expressed as: 'I am that Delavigne has only implemented measures.'
'We've already introduced the quick fixes.'
In this context, a 'quick fix' normally describes a .
This could also be expressed as: 'I am that Delavigne has only implemented measures.'
'We've already introduced the quick fixes.'
In this context, a 'quick fix' normally describes a .
'I fear we're only scratching the surface of what could be done.'
This could also be expressed as: 'I am concerned 1 that Delavigne has only implemented superficial 2 measures.'
'We've already introduced the quick fixes.'
In this context, a 'quick fix' normally describes a short-term solution 3.
This could also be expressed as: 'I am concerned 1 that Delavigne has only implemented superficial 2 measures.'
'We've already introduced the quick fixes.'
In this context, a 'quick fix' normally describes a short-term solution 3.
1 concerned: This is correct. In the sentence 'I fear that we're only scratching the surface...', 'I fear that...' is synonymous with 'I am concerned that...' or 'I am worried that...'. Example: I fear that they may be late for the wedding. 'I fear that...' is used idiomatically to express a 'concern' or 'worry', not a literal 'fear'. This figurative use of 'fear' is often signaled by the term 'that' which directly follows.
1 frightened: This is incorrect. The adjective 'frightened' is too strong to be used in this context. Bruno is not literally 'scared' or 'frightened' about the measures implemented by Delavigne, he is 'concerned' about them. Bruno is not expressing a real 'fear' in the sense of being 'scared' or 'frightened'.
1 saddened: This is incorrect. Bruno is not 'saddened' by the measures implemented by Delavigne. When something 'saddens' someone, it makes them 'sad' or 'unhappy', for example: The fact that my father couldn't come to my wedding really saddened me.
1 hoping: This is incorrect. The verbs 'hope' and 'fear' are opposite in meaning.
2 superficial: This is the correct answer. 'To scratch the surface' means to treat something 'superficially' or to deal lightly with a subject. The expression often signals that 'more can be done' or that there is room for improvement. Example: The police are only scratching the surface of the corruption scandal, more investigation need to be done. Bruno means that the company has only put in place temporary or superficial measures for helping the environment, and that there is more work to be done in this regard.
2 expensive: This is incorrect. The expression 'to scratch the surface' is unrelated to the 'expense' of something.
2 destructive: This is incorrect. The expression 'to scratch the surface' is unrelated to how 'destructive' something is.
2 misguided: This is incorrect. The expression 'to scratch the surface' is unrelated to whether an action is 'misguided', 'unwise', or 'ill-judged'.
3 short-term solution: This is correct. A 'quick fix' is a 'short-term' or 'temporary' solution, often put in place at the last minute or because of time or money constraints, for example: Taking Prozac is often a quick fix for those suffering from depression. Bruno says that Delavigne Corp has already introduced the 'quick fixes', which means that his company has put quick or easy measures in place, which aren't necessarily long-term solutions.
3 repair: This is incorrect. Although 'to fix' is synonymous with 'to repair' in many contexts, the expression '(to introduce a) quick fix' expresses a different sense than a 'repair'. A 'quick fix' is really a temporary or 'short-term' solution. Moreover, the Delavigne Corporation hasn't 'repaired' anything, rather they have introduced temporary or superficial measures to help the environment.
3 low-cost alternative: This is incorrect. Although a 'quick fix' can be inexpensive (or of 'low cost'), this is not the meaning of the term in this context. A 'quick fix' describes the duration of the solution, not its cost.
3 plan of action: This is incorrect. A 'quick fix' is unrelated to a 'plan of action'.
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