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 the best hair oils for curly hair can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack—every bottle promises shine, frizz control, or hydration, but not every formula delivers.
—
Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 1 Sep. 2025
Looking Ahead As AI adoption accelerates, deciding where to implement and invest in AI tools can sometimes feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack—there are endless possibilities.
—Toby Carrington, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
That would be like a needle in a haystack.
—Meredith Wolf Schizer, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Landing a job in today’s market can feel like finding a needle in a haystack.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for a needle in a haystack
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Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 1 Sep. 2025
Looking Ahead As AI adoption accelerates, deciding where to implement and invest in AI tools can sometimes feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack—there are endless possibilities.
—Toby Carrington, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
That would be like a needle in a haystack.
—Meredith Wolf Schizer, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Landing a job in today’s market can feel like finding a needle in a haystack.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 July 2025
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 8 Sep. 2025.
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