a drop in the ocean

USAGE SUMMARY

'a drop in the ocean' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something insignificant in comparison to something much larger. For example: "My small donation to the charity was only a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of money they need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

NGO A Drop in the Ocean monitoring the sea and the new arrivals.

Vice

That remains a drop in the ocean.

The New York Times

"It's a drop in the ocean".

The New York Times

This is a drop in the ocean compared to obesity.

Independent

But this is only a drop in the ocean.

The Economist

But that's a drop in the ocean for 600 people.

The Guardian

It's a drop in the ocean," he said.

Independent

Sadly today's announcement is a drop in the ocean.

The Guardian

Osborne's fuel tax cut was a drop in the ocean.

The Guardian

But it is still a drop in the ocean.

The Guardian - Arts

But their efforts were a drop in the ocean.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a drop in the ocean" to downplay the significance of something that seems small when considered against a much larger problem or context. For example, "The government's investment in renewable energy is a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of the climate crisis."

Common error

Avoid using "a drop in the ocean" when describing something that is genuinely significant, even if larger issues exist. It diminishes the actual impact, suggesting it's almost worthless when it might still be valuable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drop in the ocean" functions as an idiomatic expression to minimize the perceived impact or significance of something. It's often used to highlight the disparity between a small contribution or effort and a much larger issue or problem. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a drop in the ocean" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe something insignificant in comparison to a larger issue. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly news, business, and scientific domains. While it's a versatile phrase, awareness of its potential to downplay significance is crucial. Consider alternatives such as "a mere fraction" or "an insignificant amount" for nuanced expression. Remember to use it judiciously to accurately reflect the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a drop in the bucket

Uses a different water-based metaphor to convey the same meaning.

an insignificant amount

Focuses on the lack of importance or consequence due to its size.

a negligible quantity

Stresses the near-zero value or impact.

a mere fraction

Emphasizes the small proportion relative to the whole.

a tiny portion

Highlights the diminutive size of the quantity.

a grain of sand

Analogizes the phrase to something very small and common.

a small contribution

Highlights the limited impact of an action or offering.

a triviality

Highlights that the thing is unimportant.

a scintilla

Indicates a very small amount.

a bagatelle

Indicates something of very little value or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "a drop in the ocean" in a sentence?

You can use "a drop in the ocean" to describe something that is insignificant compared to a larger problem or need. For example, "My donation was just a drop in the ocean compared to the total amount needed for the project."

What's a similar expression to "a drop in the ocean"?

A similar expression is "a drop in the bucket", which also implies that something is too small to make a noticeable difference.

Is "a drop in the ocean" an idiom?

Yes, "a drop in the ocean" is an idiom. It's a figurative expression where the meaning is different from the literal meaning of the individual words.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a drop in the ocean"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is so small that it barely makes a difference. However, be mindful that using it can sometimes sound dismissive, so consider the context carefully.