used to suggest that an investigation of someone or something soon reveals their true nature
[指揭露某人（或某事）真面目的調查]除去…的假象你將發(fā)現…的本質
they believe that if you scratch a homophobe, you'll probably find a racist.
他們確信如果你剝去一個厭惡同性戀者的外衣，一個種族主義者的真面目就會暴露無遺。
(informal)think hard in order to find a solution to something
(非正式)冥思苦想問題的解答
deal with a matter only in the most superficial way
淺嘗；觸及表面
research has only scratched the surface of the paranormal.
研究僅涉及超正常范圍的表面。
initiate the briefest investigation to discover something concealed
進行簡短調查
they have a boring image but scratch the surface and it's fascinating.
它們有種令人生厭的形象，可是一旦調查起來，卻很令人著迷。
up to the required standard; satisfactory
達到標準；令人滿意的
her German was not up to scratch.
她的德語還不行。
(proverb)if you do me a favour, I'll return it
(諺)你幫我，我?guī)湍?；投我以桃，報之以?/p>
From the very beginning.
最開始的
Meeting the requirements.
符合要求的
In fit condition.
狀態(tài)良好的