drop in the ocean

phraseC1Not compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

A drop in the ocean is an amount far too small to matter against the need. Only a drop in the ocean, a drop in the ocean compared with the need.

It is usually said of money given to a problem much larger than the gift. Americans more often say a drop in the bucket, which is the same idea at a smaller scale.

Definitions of drop in the ocean

1phrasedrop in the oceanAn amount far too small to matter against the need.C1
“A million pounds is a drop in the ocean against a bill like that.”

drop in the ocean is a phrase.

Also accepted in games: drop in the bucket

← Vocabulary

drop in the ocean

phraseC1Not compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

A drop in the ocean is an amount far too small to matter against the need. Only a drop in the ocean, a drop in the ocean compared with the need.

It is usually said of money given to a problem much larger than the gift. Americans more often say a drop in the bucket, which is the same idea at a smaller scale.

Definitions of drop in the ocean

1phrasedrop in the oceanAn amount far too small to matter against the need.C1
“A million pounds is a drop in the ocean against a bill like that.”

drop in the ocean is a phrase.

Also accepted in games: drop in the bucket