a mere drop in the bucket

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere drop in the bucket" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a small or insignificant amount in comparison to a larger context or total. Example: "The funds raised for the charity were a mere drop in the bucket compared to the overall costs of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He said the nonprofit fund had raised $180,000 for residents — a mere drop in the bucket, he acknowledged.

The New York Times

They were a mere drop in the bucket of what is being presented in New York this year, and every year.

The New York Times - Arts

Prices are set on a worldwide basis, and the United States contribution, even with the addition of unlikely Arctic oil, is a mere drop in the bucket.

The New York Times

Panasonic's move is "a mere drop in the bucket," says Usha Haley, professor of international management at West Virginia University and co-author of Subsidies to Chinese Industry.

The Guardian

A. The cashmere produced in the United States is a mere drop in the bucket in the world market, but I belong to a cooperative, Cashmere America, that buys the fleece and markets it.

The New York Times

Or do I want to look at hunger throughout the world?" To a small organization a donation of $100 might seem large, while it is a mere drop in the bucket to a charity with several million dollars in the budget.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

According to a report from the Writers Guild of America West, which represents the lion's share of Hollywood writers, movie residuals were just $121.3 million in 2006, a mere drop in the $3 billion bucket.

The New York Times

While they have drilled scores of wells, the initial production is just 26,000 barrels a day, a mere drop in the global oil bucket.

The New York Times

The 58 Palm Pilots cost the company a mere $5,000, a drop in the bucket compared with the $250,000 PCBB was originally prepared to spend on an order-system upgrade.

Forbes

But that amount is a drop in the bucket, a mere 1.6 percent of Hypo's total loan portfolio.

The New York Times

"Even a billion digits is a drop in the bucket.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere drop in the bucket" when you want to downplay the significance of a quantity or amount by comparing it to a much larger whole. Ensure the context clearly establishes the larger entity against which the smallness is being measured.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere drop in the bucket" when the amount, though seemingly small, actually represents a substantial portion or critical element of the larger context. Make sure that the comparative scale is indeed disproportionate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere drop in the bucket" functions as an idiomatic expression used to quantify something as insignificant in comparison to a larger whole. Ludwig provides examples to support the practical use of the phrase in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Reference

4%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere drop in the bucket" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe something that is insignificant in comparison to a larger whole. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples illustrating its usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to use the phrase appropriately, ensuring that the comparative scale is genuinely disproportionate. Alternatives like "a tiny fraction" or "an insignificant amount" offer similar ways to convey the same idea. The phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for a wide range of communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A drop in the ocean

A very similar idiom, replacing "bucket" with "ocean" to emphasize vastness.

An insignificant amount

Highlights the lack of importance or impact due to its small size.

Next to nothing

Emphasizes the virtual absence of any significant quantity.

A tiny fraction

Emphasizes the extremely small proportion compared to the whole.

A negligible quantity

Focuses on the almost non-existent nature of the amount.

A mere speck

Highlights the diminutive size and unimportance.

An infinitesimal part

Uses a more technical term to denote extreme smallness.

A grain of sand in the desert

Uses a vivid image to represent extreme smallness relative to a vast expanse.

Hardly any

A simpler, more direct way of saying that the amount is very small.

A small contribution

Focuses on the limited impact of the contribution due to its size.

FAQs

How can I use "a mere drop in the bucket" in a sentence?

You can use "a mere drop in the bucket" to describe something insignificant compared to a larger whole, for instance: "The money raised was "a mere drop in the bucket" compared to the total cost."

What does "a mere drop in the bucket" mean?

"A mere drop in the bucket" means a very small and insignificant amount compared to something much larger.

Which phrases are similar to "a mere drop in the bucket"?

Alternatives to "a mere drop in the bucket" include "a tiny fraction", "an insignificant amount", or "a negligible quantity".

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

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize how small or unimportant something is in relation to something much larger. For example, "His effort was "a mere drop in the bucket" given the scale of the problem."