Question of the Day #1007

Intel agencies just ‘scratching the surface’ on open source initiatives

From the headline of this article at the Federal News Network.

  上記の文で、scratch the surfaceの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "scratch the surface" mean?

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 〔物の〕表面を引っかく、表面に傷を付ける
2. 〈比喩〉上っ面をなでる、表面的に論じる
3. 〔研究・学習などを〕ほんの少し学ぶ［かじる］
4. 〔やるべきことの〕始まりにすぎない

問題の見出しの場合は、4番目が適訳だと思います。

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To do, engage with, or understand something to only a minimal or superficial degree.

 

Examples

• All the payments we’ve made have hardly scratched the surface of the amount we borrowed.
• We have barely begun to scratch the surface of the possibilities of new technology.
• So far, we have only scratched the surface of the information available on this topic.
• I know you feel like you know everything about philosophy now, but this introductory course only scratches the surface.
• We don't know how bad the problem is. We've only scratched the surface.

   

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