looks can be deceiving
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A person, place, thing, or situation can be very different from how it seems or appears to be at first glance.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
This algebra problem may look very easy at first glance, but looks can be deceiving.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “looks can be deceiving” mean?
A person, place, thing, or situation can be very different from how it seems or appears to be at first glance.
Is “looks can be deceiving” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.