scratch a — and find a —

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。

scratch one's head

(informal)think hard in order to find a solution to something

(非正式)冥思苦想問題的解答

scratch the surface

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 scratch

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。

you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours

(proverb)if you do me a favour, I'll return it

(諺)你幫我，我幫你；投我以桃，報之以李

from scratch

From the very beginning.

最開始的

up to scratch【非正式用語】

Meeting the requirements.

符合要求的

In fit condition.

狀態良好的