ENGLISH
REFERENCE

peel the onion

idiom
Meaning

To investigate a matter more deeply, usually step by step, each step leading to a new discovery.


Examples
SIMPLE

We need to peel the onion to understand this problem.

CONTEXTUAL

The detective began to peel the onion, uncovering layer after layer of the complex financial fraud.

COMPLEX

As the investigation continued, the journalists had to peel the onion, revealing deeper layers of corruption that the company had long kept hidden from the public.

Anchors to
Related idioms4entries
  1. 01

    eat the onion

    To unwittingly and erroneously interpret a work of satire as literal fact, particularly a piece published by The Onion.

  2. 02

    have one foot on a banana peel

    To be in an unstable situation with a high risk of sudden negative change, facing difficulty, or appearing foolish.

  3. 03

    peel out

    To start abruptly from a standing stop, accelerating rapidly, especially so as to produce skid marks.

  4. 04

    take out an onion

    Suggests that the performer of the action is not sincere in their grief.

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