the tip of the iceberg

noun phrase

: a small part of something (such as a problem) that is seen or known about when there is a much larger part that is not seen or known about

The news is shocking, but we may find out that the stories we've heard so far are just the tip of the iceberg.

Examples of the tip of the iceberg in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent events are only the tip of the iceberg. —

Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026 And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. —

Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026 This is only the tip of the iceberg for your potato experimentation. —

Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026 Spring in Arizona is incredible for many reasons, and the weather is just the tip of the iceberg. —

Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the tip of the iceberg

Browse Nearby Words

thetin

the tip of the iceberg

Thetis

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“The tip of the iceberg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20tip%20of%20the%20iceberg. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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