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on the surface
[/ɑn ðə ˈsɜrfɪs/]
adverbial phrase
à primeira vista; na superfície
1.
appearing to be true or real based on what is obvious or apparent, but possibly not true when examined more carefully
On the surface, the plan seems reasonable, but there are hidden complications.
À primeira vista, o plano parece razoável, mas há complicações ocultas.
2.
on or at the outer layer or top part of something
The debris floated on the surface of the water.
Os detritos flutuavam na superfície da água.
Synonyms
apparently
ostensibly
seemingly
at first glance
superficially
Antonyms
deep down
fundamentally
essentially
in reality
Regional Variations
General Brazilian
à primeira vista; na superfície
most common usage
São Paulo
à primeira vista; na superfície
standard usage
Rio de Janeiro
à primeira vista; na superfície
standard usage
Portugal
à superfície; aparentemente
slightly different emphasis on 'aparentemente'
Related Idioms & Phrases
dig deeper
beneath the surface
scratch the surface
looks can be deceiving
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