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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By and large these tents on the street are like the tip of the iceberg, and that’s the most extreme edge of homelessness in America. Rachel Cohen, Vox, 25 Mar. 2025 But eggs are just the tip of the iceberg when raising chickens. Sal Gilbertie, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 These findings are really the tip of the iceberg, says Nightingale. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Mar. 2025 But the attack is the tip of the iceberg, according to Open Doors, as the DRC ranks 35th in its watch list of countries where Christians face danger. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for the tip of the iceberg

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“The tip of the iceberg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20tip%20of%20the%20iceberg. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

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