English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
More than meets the eye
Meaning
The idiom "more than meets the eye" is used to describe something that appears to be ordinary or simple but has hidden depths or complexities. It suggests that there is more to a person, situation, or thing than what is immediately apparent.
In contemporary language, the phrase is often used in a metaphorical sense, meaning that someone or something is not what they seem on the surface. It can also be used to describe a situation that has multiple layers or complexities that are not immediately apparent.
Usage
- I had never met Mark before he moved into my neighborhood. He seemed friendly enough at first, but it turned out he had a whole lot of hidden talents and secrets. He was more than meets the eye.
- The new CEO of the company may seem like just another corporate drone, but she has a passion for innovation and a vision for the future that is beyond anyone else's imagination. She's more than meets the eye.
- I always thought my ex-boyfriend was just an ordinary guy, but after I saw him perform on stage at a concert, I realized he had a whole other side to him that was more than meets the eye.
- When I first met John, he seemed like a shy and introverted person, but as we got to know each other better, I realized he was an adventurer who had traveled to some of the most exotic places in the world. He was more than meets the eye.
- The old mansion on the hill has been abandoned for years, but rumor has it that it's haunted by the ghosts of its past inhabitants. Maybe there's more to it than meets the eye.
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom "more than meets the eye" is uncertain, but it may have roots in medieval literature and folklore. In Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night," for example, Olivia says, "I was but a fool to think I knew her well," suggesting that there is more to a person than what is immediately apparent. Over time, the phrase has evolved to encompass a wider range of meanings and contexts. Today it is often used in everyday conversation and can refer to anything from a person's personality traits to a situation's underlying complexities.
Synonyms in English
- There's more to him/her than meets the eye
- He/she has depth/layers
- He/she is complex/multi-faceted
- He/she is not what he/she seems
- There's something more going on here
Synonyms in other languages
- In Spanish, "Hay más del que parece" (There's more than meets the eye)
- In French, "Il y a plus qu'il ne paraît" (There's more than what appears)
- In German, "Es gibt mehr als man sieht" (There's more than what you see)
- In Italian, "Ci sono più che sembra" (There's more than what seems)
- In Chinese, "欣赏人类：他人有多少能力的问题" (Appreciate humanity: how much ability does the other have?)