Englishmore than meets the eye
Meaning: Some hidden aspect to a situation.
Example: “The quiet new neighbor is more than meets the eye; she used to be a spy novelist.”
Equivalents in other languages
Spanish: tener su miga Literally: To have its crumb
Origin: Adapted from John Milton's Il Penseroso (1645), where the original line reaches for a different sense entirely: "more is meant than meets the ear." Milton's version is about interpreting hidden meaning in something heard — poetry, argument, riddle — rather than something seen. The modern "eye" version, describing situations or objects with hidden depth or complexity beyond their surface appearance, is on record from the mid-1800s, two centuries after Milton's line, having swapped one sense for the other along the way.
More English idioms
- on the nose Exactly.
- on the tip of one's tongue Almost remembered; about to be said.
- pay someone back To respond to somebody's behavior with similar behavior.
- pay through the nose To pay a great amount; to pay too much.
- pick someone's brain To get information from someone, usually by questioning the person carefully and in great…
- play it by ear To go along with a situation as it develops before deciding what to do; to do something w…
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Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Che spettacolo! You look absolutely stunning — a spontaneous burst of admiration for someone's appearance.
- Du bist ein Goldstück You're a real gem — priceless, irreplaceable, and deeply appreciated.
- Du hast ein Händchen dafür You have a real knack — a natural gift that makes difficult things look easy.
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