On the face of it meaning

What does the saying 'On the face of it' mean?

Idiom: On the face of it

Meaning:

This idiom is used when describing the way a situation appears, while allowing for the possibility that things may be different:

On the face of it, the company looks very profitable.  (The company appears to be very profitable, but this may not be the case.)

Country: International English | Subject Area: Body and bodily functions | Usage Type: Both or All Words Used
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