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

But public auctions such as this one could be just the tip of the iceberg. — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 July 2026

The filings are also likely the tip of the iceberg of what’s to emerge from financial disclosures in the following weeks, ethics watchdogs have previously told CNBC. — Luke Fountain,justin Papp, CNBC, 3 July 2026

Amazon Prime Video, Peacock and Netflix each have scored exclusive rights to specific games, and that may just be the tip of the iceberg. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

These numbers are the tip of the iceberg—only the women MSF treated. — Janine Di Giovanni, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026