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Truth, Secrecy, & Deception - Depth & Surface

Master English idioms regarding depth and surface, like "more than meets the eye" and "on the face of it".

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English idioms related to Truth, Secrecy, & Deception
chapter and verse

a report of something with complete or exact details

Ex: The lawyer presented the evidence, citing chapter and verse, to support her client's innocence. 
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facts and figures

full and exact information about something

Ex: The researcher presented a detailed report with facts and figures to demonstrate the impact of climate change on coastal regions. 
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nightmare dressed like a daydream

a person or thing that looks nice or pleasant but turns out to be very unpleasant or troublesome

Ex: The apartment looked perfect online, but it was a nightmare dressed like a daydream. 
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poker face

a facial expression that does not reveal a person's feelings or thoughts

Ex: Despite the pressure, he maintained a poker face during the negotiation, never revealing his excitement or desperation. 
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on the face of it

used to state that something appears to be true or appealing at first glance

Ex: On the face of it, the job offer seemed perfect, but after researching the company culture, I realized it might not be the right fit. 
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to [scratch|scrape] the surface

to fail to deal with all aspects of a problem, topic, etc.

Ex: The introductory course only scratches the surface of the subject; to truly master it, one must pursue advanced studies. 
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blessing in disguise

a situation or event that seems problematic or unfortunate at first but later results in something positive and pleasant

Ex: Losing his job turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it led him to discover a new career path that brought him more fulfillment and success. 
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bird's eye view

a general analysis of something

Ex: From the top of the mountain, we had a bird's eye view of the entire valley with its sprawling landscapes and winding rivers. 
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to [see] the forest for the trees

to understand something from a general perspective without getting too involved in details

Ex: The manager was so fixated on the daily tasks that she couldn't see the forest for the trees, neglecting long-term strategic planning. 
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the devil is in the [detail]

used in a situation where details need to be closely inspected or paid attention to

Ex: The contract looks simple, but the devil is in the detail. 
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to [dot] the i's and [cross] the t's

to make sure no detail goes unnoticed in completing a task

Ex: I made sure to cross my t's and dot my i's when installing the circuit breakeryou can never be too careful with electrical work. 
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the power behind the throne

an individual who possesses great influence over someone who is officially in charge

Ex: The prime minister's chief advisor was known as the power behind the throne, as they held immense sway over government policies. 
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in broad strokes

used to say that something is discussed in a general or basic way, without going into too much detail or specific information

Ex: The presentation outlined the project in broad strokes, highlighting the main goals and objectives without going into specific details. 
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with a fine-tooth comb

used to imply a very careful and thorough examination of something, often with great attention to detail and a focus on finding even the smallest flaws or errors

Ex: The detective went through the crime scene with a fine-tooth comb, searching for any clues that could lead to the perpetrator. 
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deep down
deep down
[phrase]

used to refer to a person's true feelings or beliefs that they may not openly show

Ex: Deep down, she knew that her decision was driven by fear rather than genuine concern. 
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the (big|bigger) picture

the overall view or perspective of a situation, rather than focusing on small details

Ex: You're focusing on one mistake and missing the big picture. 
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{not} the half of it

used to suggest that a situation or story is more complicated or interesting than what has been revealed or discussed so far

Ex: She told me about her difficult day at work, but that's only the half of it; there were also personal challenges she faced during the same time. 
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style without substance

an impressive appearance or delivery that lacks strong real content

Ex: The presentation was style without substance. 
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to [fall] for a pretty face

to be fooled or influenced by something because it looks attractive

Ex: He fell for a pretty face and bought the low-quality watch. 
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to [bubble] under the surface

to remain hidden but still present, especially as anger, tension, or emotion

Ex: Anger bubbled under the surface during the meeting. 
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