drop in the ocean

A tiny amount, especially when compared to a much larger one. I'm glad Tony started repaying the money he borrowed from me, but the five dollars he gave me yesterday is just a drop in the ocean compared to what he still owes.

See also: drop, ocean

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a drop in the ocean

BRITISH or

a drop in the bucket

AMERICAN

COMMON If something, especially an amount of money, is a drop in the ocean, it is very small in comparison with the amount which is needed or expected. The size of the grants have been attacked by welfare groups as merely a drop in the ocean. The amount of mercury would be minuscule, a drop in the bucket compared to natural sources such as bacteria in soils. Note: This expression may come from a line in the Bible: `Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance.' (Isaiah 40:15)

See also: drop, ocean

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a drop in the ocean (or in a bucket)

a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected.

1995 Ian Rankin Let It Bleed A few million was a drop in the ocean, hardly a ripple.

See also: drop, ocean

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a ˌdrop in the ˈocean

(British English) (American English a ˌdrop in the ˈbucket) a very small amount in comparison to the much larger amount that is needed: $10 million is only a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed to help these people effectively.

See also: drop, ocean

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

See also:

a drop in the bucket
a drop in the ocean
drop in a bucket
drop in the bucket
spit in the ocean
trust (one) for (something)
trust for
(it's) good to hear your voice
good to hear your voice
glad you could come

References in periodicals archive

We know only too well that what we're doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.

Making waves

"What we are doing is just a drop in the ocean," wrote Mother Teresa.

All for one and one for all: we have been given an abundance of good grace, and we're called to share it. (practicing catholic)

词组	drop in the ocean
释义	drop in the ocean drop in the ocean A tiny amount, especially when compared to a much larger one. I'm glad Tony started repaying the money he borrowed from me, but the five dollars he gave me yesterday is just a drop in the ocean compared to what he still owes. See also: drop, ocean Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. a drop in the ocean BRITISH or a drop in the bucket AMERICAN COMMON If something, especially an amount of money, is a drop in the ocean, it is very small in comparison with the amount which is needed or expected. The size of the grants have been attacked by welfare groups as merely a drop in the ocean. The amount of mercury would be minuscule, a drop in the bucket compared to natural sources such as bacteria in soils. Note: This expression may come from a line in the Bible: `Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance.' (Isaiah 40:15) See also: drop, ocean Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. a drop in the ocean (or in a bucket) a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected. 1995 Ian Rankin Let It Bleed A few million was a drop in the ocean, hardly a ripple. See also: drop, ocean Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary a ˌdrop in the ˈocean (British English) (American English a ˌdrop in the ˈbucket) a very small amount in comparison to the much larger amount that is needed: $10 million is only a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed to help these people effectively. See also: drop, ocean Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: a drop in the bucket a drop in the ocean drop in a bucket drop in the bucket spit in the ocean trust (one) for (something) trust for (it's) good to hear your voice good to hear your voice glad you could come References in periodicals archive We know only too well that what we're doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something. Making waves "What we are doing is just a drop in the ocean," wrote Mother Teresa. All for one and one for all: we have been given an abundance of good grace, and we're called to share it. (practicing catholic)
随便看	bring something to the party bring (something) to the table bring something up bring (something) (up)on (someone or something) bring (something) up to code bring something up to code bring (something) with bring (something) within a/the range bring (something) within range bring/take somebody down a peg bring that up again and we'll vote on it bring the curtain down on something bring the house down bring the roses to (one's) cheeks bring through bring to bring to a boil bring to account bring to a close bring to a dead end bring to a halt bring to a head bring to aid bring to a standstill bring to a successful conclusion