scrape together
To quickly assemble, usually from scanty ingredients.
We were so hungry we had to scrape together some lunch from all kinds of frozen leftovers.
scratch the surface
To learn or understand very little about something. Usually used with a limiting adverb (as only, hardly).
We thought we understood Africa but when we made a trip there we found we had only scratched the surface.
High school students have only scratched the surface of their subjects, and even after college graduation, they still find there is much more to learn.
see beyond one's nose
see beyond the end of one's nose
To make wise judgments about questions of importance to yourself and others; act with farseeing understanding. Used in negative, conditional, and interrogative sentences.
He couldn't save money or make plans for the future; he just never saw beyond the end of his nose.
People who always complain about school taxes would stop it if they could see beyond their noses and understand the importance of first-class schools.
see how the land lies
To reconnoiter; investigate.
Before going there in person to ask for a job, you had better see how the land lies and who does what.
see the color of one's money
To know that you have money to spend.
Знать, что у кого-либо есть деньги на расходы.
The realtor would not show us a house until he saw the color of our money.
Before I show you the diamond, let me see the color of your money.
I want to see the colour of his money before shipping the goods.
Я хочу проверить его платежеспособность, прежде чем отгружать товары.
see the last of
To say good-bye to someone or something; get rid of something.
We were glad to see the last of the winter.
see the light at the end of the tunnel
To anticipate the happy resolution of a prolonged period of problems.
We've been paying on our house mortgage for many years, but at long last we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
see the light of day
To be born or begun.
The children visited the old house where their great-grandfather first saw the light of day.
The party was a failure, and Mathilda wished her plan had never seen the light of day.