a needle in a haystack

noun phrase

informal

: someone or something that is very hard to find

Searching for your earring at the park will be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Examples of a needle in a haystack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To be sure, normal online shopping can be tedious, too — the endless array of options on the web can make finding the right thing feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. — Mia Sato, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2026

Ugg Classic Ultra Mini, $149 (was $165) Too-narrow toe boxes, stiff materials, and unsupportive footbeds can make finding a reliable pair of comfy boots feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. — Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Oct. 2026

Resale shoppers are often looking for a needle in a haystack. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

With everyone from qualified experts to politicians, celebrities, and influencers entering their opinions into the chat, separating good information from bad feels like finding a needle in a haystack. — Big Think, 21 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for a needle in a haystack

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback