more (to (someone/something)) than meets the eye

more interesting or complicated than someone or something appears at first.

There is more to her death than meets the eye — she was probably murdered.

There must be more to him than meets the eye, or else why would she be interested in him?

Usage notes: also used in the form less than meets the eye - not as interesting or complicated as it appears:

Unfortunately, with her boyfriend, there is less than meets the eye.

• wheels are turning
• when all is said and done
• when back is turned
• when hell freezes over
• When in Rome .
• When in Rome do as the Romans do.
• when it comes to the crunch
• when push comes to shove
• when ship comes in
• when someone's back is turned
• when someone sneezes, someone catches a cold
• when someone sneezes, something catches a cold
• when someone was a mere twinkle in father's eye
• when someone was a mere twinkle in their father's eye
• when someone was a twinkle in father's eye
• when someone was a twinkle in their father's eye
• when something sneezes, someone catches a cold
• when something sneezes, something catches a cold
• When the cat's away .
• When the cat's away the mice will play.
• when the chips are down
• when the dust settles
• when the going gets rough
• when the going gets tough
• when the spirit moves