scratch below the surface
Verb
Meaning
scratch below the surface (third-person singular simple present scratches below the surface, present participle scratching below the surface, simple past and past participle scratched below the surface)
Synonym of scratch beneath the surface
Examples
Underneath our nice, friendly facades there is great unease. If I were to scratch below the surface of anyone I would find fear, pain, and anxiety running amok. We all have ways to cover them up. We overeat, over-drink, overwork; we watch too much television.
If you scratch below the surface and ask what really makes me tick, it's the liberalism of trying to promote freedom and opportunity. Promoting social mobility is one of the keys to that.