a drop in the ocean
noun phrase
British, informal
: an amount that is so small that it does not make an important difference or have much effect
They need to raise thousands of pounds for this project, so our 20-pound donation is just a drop in the ocean.
Examples of a drop in the ocean in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In comparison, its spending on Fountain of Youth seems like a drop in the ocean.
—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Traffic through the key waterway remains a drop in the ocean compared to pre-war levels.
—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Knox says media coverage of Guede over the years has been a drop in the ocean compared to the constant focus on her.
—
Barney Henderson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
But, a bit like Kiribati itself, that money is a drop in the ocean.
—
Nick Miller,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
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Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Traffic through the key waterway remains a drop in the ocean compared to pre-war levels.
—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Knox says media coverage of Guede over the years has been a drop in the ocean compared to the constant focus on her.
—
Barney Henderson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
But, a bit like Kiribati itself, that money is a drop in the ocean.
—
Nick Miller,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“A drop in the ocean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20drop%20in%20the%20ocean. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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