reverse side of a paper
Literal meaning: the back of a sheet of paper. Not a common everyday word; more often encountered in literary or formal contexts.
The ink has soaked through to the reverse side of the paper.
reading between the lines
Abbreviation of 眼光紙背 (がんこうしはい), meaning to perceive the deeper meaning beyond the written words. Used in literary or critical contexts.
See also: 眼光紙背 (がんこうしはい)
His critique penetrates to the meaning between the lines.
reading between the lines
Compound of 紙 (paper) and 背 (back). The figurative sense is an abbreviation of 眼光紙背 (literally 'eyesight pierces the back of the paper'), a Chinese-derived phrase.