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
Recent Examples on the Web
That headline is just the tip of the iceberg of a heist syndicate targeting Nike sneakers, according to an eye-opening Los Angeles Times story connecting 10 thefts over the last year.
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Ian Servantes For Footwear News, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025
With retailers expecting to close more than 2.5 times more stores as will open this year – 15,000 closures to 5,800 opens – the latest round of layoffs are just the tip of the iceberg.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
To be fair, in terms of misinformation, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
In college, a friend of mine played a bass that was built in 1850s Germany, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
—Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the tip of the iceberg
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Ian Servantes For Footwear News, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025
With retailers expecting to close more than 2.5 times more stores as will open this year – 15,000 closures to 5,800 opens – the latest round of layoffs are just the tip of the iceberg.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
To be fair, in terms of misinformation, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
In college, a friend of mine played a bass that was built in 1850s Germany, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
—Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the tip of the iceberg
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 12 Mar. 2025.
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