in the bucket

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the bucket" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It means that something is inside or contained within a bucket. Example: "The child dumped the sand into the bucket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're drops in the bucket".

The New York Times

A drop in the bucket.

The New Yorker

Start with one pint in the bucket.

The New York Times

It's a drop in the bucket".

The New York Times

Instead, it's a drop in the bucket.

Yale University

Medicate the water in the bucket.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It's just a drop in the bucket.

The New Yorker

There's a hole in the bucket list!

The New Yorker

I put a pound in the bucket.

The Guardian

Put something in the bucket, for Chrissakes.

The New Yorker

Isn't it a drop in the bucket?

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "in the bucket" to describe something as insignificant, ensure the context clearly establishes the larger scale against which it is being compared. For example: "The funding was a drop "in the bucket" compared to the overall budget."

Common error

Avoid using "in the bucket" literally when the intended meaning is idiomatic (e.g., "a drop in the bucket"). Ensure your sentence structure aligns with the intended figurative meaning to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

"In the bucket" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating location or containment. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it modifies verbs or nouns to specify where something is situated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the bucket" is a versatile prepositional phrase predominantly used to indicate location or containment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it frequently appears in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While grammatically straightforward, it's essential to distinguish its literal usage from idiomatic expressions like "a drop in the bucket", where it signifies insignificance. To ensure clarity in writing, context is key to guide your audience whether you are referring to a physical container or a figurative comparison. Understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can confidently use "in the bucket" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the pail

Replaces "bucket" with "pail", maintaining the sense of containment. This is a synonym transformation.

inside the container

Uses a more generic term, "container", instead of "bucket", broadening the scope slightly.

placed in the bucket

A more straightforward substitute, focusing on the action of placing something.

contained in the receptacle

Employs a formal term, "receptacle", indicating a container for holding something.

within the bin

Substitutes "bucket" with "bin", suggesting a larger or different type of container.

lodged in the bucket

Uses "lodged" to emphasize secure placement or containment in the bucket.

held in the bucket

Focuses on the action of holding something within the bucket.

stored in the bucket

Highlights the purpose of keeping something safe or ready for future use within the bucket.

deposited in the bucket

Emphasizes the act of placing something into the bucket.

located in the bucket

Indicates the position of an item or entity inside the bucket.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says something is a "drop in the bucket"?

It means that something is a very small or insignificant amount compared to what is needed or expected. For example, a small donation might be described as a "drop in the bucket" when much more is required.

How can I use "in the bucket" literally in a sentence?

You can use "in the bucket" to describe the physical location of something. For instance, "I keep my cleaning supplies "in the bucket" under the sink."

What are some alternative ways to express that something is a very small amount?

Besides "a drop in the bucket", you can use phrases like "a grain of sand", "a mere pittance", or "an insignificant amount" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between saying "in the bucket" and "inside the bucket"?

While both phrases indicate that something is within the bucket, "inside the bucket" places slightly more emphasis on the containment within the physical boundaries of the bucket. "In the bucket" is more general.