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
As Heather digs deeper, the stories of more survivors convince her his experience is the tip of the iceberg.
—
Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Their debut album is just the tip of the iceberg for the collective.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Because that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the tip of the iceberg
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Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Their debut album is just the tip of the iceberg for the collective.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Because that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the tip of the iceberg
Cite this Entry
“The tip of the iceberg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20tip%20of%20the%20iceberg. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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