take the shadow for the substance

idiomatic

(idiomatic) To be easily deceived, credulous, superficial.

Japanese Meaning

容易に騙されること / 信じやすいこと / 物事を表面的にしか捉えないこと

Don't take the shadow for the substance when assessing someone's character based on a few public appearances.

数回の公の場での振る舞いだけで誰かの性格を判断して、見かけを本質と取り違えないでください。

Sense（1）

(idiomatic) To be easily deceived, credulous, superficial.

takes the shadow for the substance

（ present singular third-person ）

taking the shadow for the substance

（ participle present ）

took the shadow for the substance

（ past ）

taken the shadow for the substance

（ participle past ）