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
Put another way, despite a media narrative that the tide may be turning, Minneapolis might only be the tip of the iceberg.
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Phillip Atiba Solomon, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Andrew’s recent arrest might just be the tip of the iceberg of consequences for the former prince.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 Feb. 2026
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Peacock is the home to all of the aforementioned reality TV stalwarts, but those are just the tip of the iceberg, with hundreds of hours of reality entertainment on the streamer.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the tip of the iceberg
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Phillip Atiba Solomon, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Andrew’s recent arrest might just be the tip of the iceberg of consequences for the former prince.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 Feb. 2026
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Peacock is the home to all of the aforementioned reality TV stalwarts, but those are just the tip of the iceberg, with hundreds of hours of reality entertainment on the streamer.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
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 3 Mar. 2026.
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