under the facade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under the facade" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to something that is hidden beneath a presented exterior or to something that is hidden from view. For example, you might say, "Under the facade of a successful businessman, there were problems in his personal life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But does it have to be by newspaper proprietors and editors under the facade of self-regulation?

The Guardian - Opinion

The new square sits under the facade of the Grade-I listed station, constructed to Lewis Cubitt's design in 1852 but barely seen since.

The Guardian

Under the facade of his giving Amelia religious instruction to become a nun, he meets her in an out-of-the-way shack inhabited by the mentally retarded daughter of one of Father Benito's assistants.

The New York Times

Here Skidelsky imparts a provocative twist to his narrative by emphasizing the rivalry "between Britain and America for postwar position which went on under the facade of the Grand Alliance".

The New York Times - Books

As the global market economy is more open than ever before, we cannot hide under the facade and continue to spread the fallacy of "poor Africans needing help".

Huffington Post

So, it becomes necessary to dig under the facade of each person's personality to see if there's true compatibility over the long-term.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

RESTORATION work is under way on the facade of the town house at 16 East 84th Street, one of a neo-Georgian triplet of dwellings built in 1901 by the socially prominent King family.

The New York Times

Over the buzz of the crowd, I hear hammers tapping behind the plywood screens covering the part of the facade under repair: Builders are working 24 hours a day so that burned-out bars and restaurants can reopen.

Forbes

Rather than turn away customers, the owners opened a second, equally plain restaurant a block west on Centre Street, practically under the grim facade of the Manhattan Detention Complex, offering much the same menu of delectable Vietnamese specialties amid a sea of other dishes that seem more Chinese.

The New York Times - Food

"All of these conditions coalesce under light and shadow giving the facade – and the city – a rich dynamism that I try to capture".

The Guardian

Or, does it stick out from a higher floor on the facade with nothing under it?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under the facade" to reveal hidden realities or concealed motives. It's particularly effective when contrasting outward appearances with inner truths in descriptive or analytical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "under the facade" when you simply mean "on the surface". A facade is a deliberate presentation, not just any exterior. Use "on the surface" if there's no intention to deceive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the facade" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, adding context about a hidden reality or concealed truth. As Ludwig AI suggests, it reveals what's not immediately apparent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under the facade" serves to reveal concealed realities behind outward appearances. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, scientific, and formal/business contexts, indicating a neutral register. While "under the facade" is not exceptionally common, it offers a nuanced way to describe hidden motives or concealed truths, distinguishing itself from simpler terms like "on the surface" by implying a deliberate attempt at deception. Consider alternatives such as "beneath the surface" or "behind a false front" to fine-tune the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the veneer

Similar in meaning, referring to a superficial or deceptively attractive appearance that conceals something unpleasant or undesirable.

behind a false front

Directly relates to hiding the truth behind something fabricated; more direct and less nuanced than "under the facade".

veiled by a pretense

Emphasizes the deliberate effort to create a false impression; similar to "under the facade" but focuses on the intention.

beneath the surface

Implies a deeper reality that is not immediately apparent; more general and less specific than "under the facade".

masked by the exterior

Highlights the way an outer layer hides something; similar in meaning, but more literal.

concealed by appearances

Focuses on the deceptive nature of outward appearances; more descriptive and less idiomatic than the query.

lurking beneath

Suggests a hidden, often negative, aspect is present; adds a sense of danger or threat not always present in the original phrase.

hidden from view

Simply suggests something not easily seen, broader than "under the facade" which implies deliberate concealment.

at its core

Indicates the fundamental or true nature of something, which might be different from its appearance; more abstract than "under the facade".

in reality

Contrasts the presented image with the actual situation; less descriptive and more of a general statement.

FAQs

How can I use "under the facade" in a sentence?

The phrase "under the facade" is used to describe what is hidden or concealed by an outward appearance. For example, "Under the facade of success, he was struggling with personal issues."

What phrases are similar to "under the facade"?

Similar phrases include "beneath the surface", "behind a false front", or "under the veneer", which all suggest something hidden or not immediately obvious.

Is it correct to use "under the facade of" to describe someone's personality?

Yes, it is appropriate. You can use "under the facade of" to describe a personality or behavior that is meant to conceal someone's true feelings or intentions. For instance, "Under the facade of indifference, she was deeply hurt."

What is the difference between "under the facade" and "on the surface"?

"Under the facade" implies a deliberate attempt to conceal something, while "on the surface" simply refers to the outer layer or appearance without suggesting deception. The former indicates a hidden reality, the latter, just the external view.