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

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While climate denial allows people to protect themselves from feelings of distress, terror management theory suggests that denying death is just the tip of the iceberg. Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024 Overheated is just the tip of the iceberg of Eilish’s climate activism (pun intended). Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 There are a whole host of desserts to be made using a cast iron skillet, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Patricia S York, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024 Those two, of course, are just the tip of the iceberg — a cliche Laughlin might well have excised from a story. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for the tip of the iceberg 

Dictionary Entries Near the tip of the iceberg

thetin

the tip of the iceberg

Thetis

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 1 Dec. 2024.

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