on the face of it
US /ɑːn ðə feɪs ʌv ɪt/
UK /ɑːn ðə feɪs ʌv ɪt/
1.
used to say that something seems to be true or real, but may not be, when you consider only the obvious facts
:
•
On the face of it, it seems like a good deal, but we need to read the fine print.
•
The plan, on the face of it, is simple and effective.