take the shadow for the substance
To be easily deceived, credulous, superficial.
substance
/ˈsʌbstəns/
noun 5verb 1
Collocations
24(noun.) material
ADJ
addictive, carcinogenic, dangerous, harmful, hazardous, noxious, poisonous, radioactive, toxic
innocuous
A small amount of an innocuous substance like salt won't harm your health.
banned, illegal
natural
Water is a natural substance that our bodies need to survive.
chemical | inorganic, organic | pure | soluble, volatile | crystalline, fatty, oily, slimy, sticky, viscous | medicinal
VERB + SUBSTANCE
use | contain
produce
Plants produce a sticky substance to protect their leaves from insects.
take
He admitted he had taken harmful substances before seeking help from a doctor.
(noun.) important content
ADJ
real
The real substance of their argument emerged only after we discussed it for an hour.
added
The new evidence provided added substance to her claim that the company had broken the law.
VERB + SUBSTANCE
have
His arguments about the new policy don't have much substance behind them.
give sth, lend sth
Her personal experience gave real substance to the arguments she made in her speech.
lack
PREP
in ~
The two contracts look different, but in substance they are actually quite similar.
of ~
The committee discussed several ideas, but nothing of substance came from their conversation.
without ~
His complaints about the service were without substance, so the restaurant didn't apologize.
~ in
The report lacks substance in its arguments and relies mainly on personal opinions.
~ to
Her argument had no substance to it, so the committee rejected it immediately.
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