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

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

Finding a place to relieve yourself while on vacation might feel like a desperate search for a needle in a haystack. — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026

Finding that actual point of compromise can be like finding a needle in a haystack. — Muhammad Azeem, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Rhymes for a needle in a haystack

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