skin-deep proposal
[/skɪn dɛp prəˈpoʊzəl/]
nounpl: skin-deep proposals
proposta superficial
1. A proposal that appears attractive or promising on the surface but lacks substance, depth, or real merit; something that only seems good at first glance but has no genuine value or lasting impact
The politician's skin-deep proposal promised tax cuts without explaining how public services would be funded.
A proposta superficial do político prometia cortes fiscais sem explicar como os serviços públicos seriam financiados.
2. A suggestion or plan that addresses only surface-level issues rather than underlying problems
The company's skin-deep proposal to improve employee satisfaction only involved cosmetic office changes.
A proposta superficial da empresa para melhorar a satisfação dos funcionários envolveu apenas mudanças cosméticas no escritório.
This phrase reflects skepticism common in both American and Brazilian business and political discourse. In the USA, it's frequently used in corporate and political contexts to criticize lacking authenticity. In Brazil, similar criticism is expressed with 'proposta de fachada,' emphasizing the distinction between appearance and substance—a cultural value in Portuguese-speaking contexts where deeper analysis and substantive discussion are often preferred in business negotiations.
NYC Slang
all talk, no action proposal
Related Idioms & Phrases
don't judge a book by its cover
all that glitters is not gold
beauty is only skin-deep
window dressing
putting a band-aid on a bullet wound
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