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
The coalition argues that Palantir is just the tip of the iceberg.
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Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
But this is all just the tip of the iceberg, and the result of years of intrepid work by Christine, Katas, and several members of the sect who finally broke free from Bateman's web.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, the incidents to emerge so far may be only the tip of the iceberg.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the tip of the iceberg
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Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
But this is all just the tip of the iceberg, and the result of years of intrepid work by Christine, Katas, and several members of the sect who finally broke free from Bateman's web.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, the incidents to emerge so far may be only the tip of the iceberg.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 2026.
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