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
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
—
Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2025
All this is just the tip of the iceberg.
—Larry David, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Our investigation revealed that the burglary at Burrow’s home in December, which was executed by Chilean nationals (and exposed a possible new romantic relationship for him), was just the tip of the iceberg.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2025
Hercules' nose is just the tip of the iceberg for the Arkansas Air and Military Museum.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the tip of the iceberg
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Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2025
All this is just the tip of the iceberg.
—Larry David, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Our investigation revealed that the burglary at Burrow’s home in December, which was executed by Chilean nationals (and exposed a possible new romantic relationship for him), was just the tip of the iceberg.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2025
Hercules' nose is just the tip of the iceberg for the Arkansas Air and Military Museum.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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