more to sb than meets the eye

more to sb than meets the eye is an idiom used by many writers. When idioms are used in the right place, they open the doors of effective communication and increase your descriptive power. In this way, you will be better understood. The meaning of the expression more to sb than meets the eye is also remarkable in this respect.

Meaning of "more to sb than meets the eye"

Meaning

The idiom ‘more to someone than meets the eye’ is used to suggest that a person or situation is more complex than it appears on the surface. It implies that there is hidden depth to be found when we look beyond what we can see with our eyes.

Etymology

The phrase ‘more to someone than meets the eye’ has been in use since the late 1800’s, when it was first recorded in an article in the 'Western Monthly' magazine. It’s a phrase that has been used to describe people or situations, and refers to the fact that there is always more than meets the eye when it comes to a person or a situation.

Usage

The phrase is especially useful when talking about people. It implies that someone may be more than what we see on the surface, and encourages us to take the time to get to know someone in order to see their full character. The phrase is also used to express admiration for someone, implying that they are more complex and interesting than they may appear. It can also be used to express skepticism towards someone; suggesting that there’s more to them than meets the eye, and that they may not be all they seem.

Example Sentences

• “He may be a bit of a loner, but there’s more to him than meets the eye.”
• “She looks really shy, but it turns out there’s a lot more to her than meets the eye.”
• “I don’t quite trust him—I think there may be more to him than meets the eye.”

The Surprising Origins of Everyday English Idioms

Many English idioms have surprisingly dark origins, often rooted in violence, death, and superstition. For instance, the phrase "raining cats and dogs" is said to have originated in the 17th century, when heavy rain would often cause dead animals to wash up on the streets. Meanwhile, the idiom "rule of thumb" is believed to have originated from a law that allowed men to beat their wives with a stick no thicker than their thumb.