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
Finding stylish, cushy sandals that can withstand a day of walking is like finding a needle in a haystack—nearly impossible.
—
Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
Finding that actual point of compromise can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
—Muhammad Azeem, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Finding a confidence-boosting swimsuit can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but Amazon shoppers love this style for its modest coverage and inclusive sizing.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Roselli added the ongoing work by investigators in the Guthrie case amounts to the proverbial search for a needle in a haystack.
—Joe Holden, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for a needle in a haystack
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Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
Finding that actual point of compromise can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
—Muhammad Azeem, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Finding a confidence-boosting swimsuit can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but Amazon shoppers love this style for its modest coverage and inclusive sizing.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Roselli added the ongoing work by investigators in the Guthrie case amounts to the proverbial search for a needle in a haystack.
—Joe Holden, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for a needle in a haystack
Cite this Entry
“A needle in a haystack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20needle%20in%20a%20haystack. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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