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Peel the Onion

What Does "Peel the Onion" Mean?

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"Peel the onion" is an English idiom. It means "to investigate or analyze a complex issue, topic, or situation by examining its layers or components one by one."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "peel the onion" used in a sentence:
  • To understand the problem fully, we need to peel the onion and look at its underlying causes.
  • The detective knew he had to peel the onion of evidence to uncover the truth.
  • Peeling the onion of a scientific discovery often reveals new insights and challenges.
meaning for peel the onion

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Peel the Onion" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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