tip of the iceberg

noun phrase

: the earliest, most obvious, or most superficial manifestation of some phenomenon

Word History

Etymology

from an iceberg being mostly submerged

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tip of the iceberg was in 1969

Dictionary Entries Near tip of the iceberg

Cite this Entry

“Tip of the iceberg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tip%20of%20the%20iceberg. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

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