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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The two dogs were just the tip of the iceberg, according to investigators. —

Luke Barr, ABC News, 13 Dec. 2024 For the past year, the Houthis have disrupted global commerce in one of the world's most crucial waterways, the Red Sea leading to the Suez Canal, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. —

Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024 Drug dosing is based on BMI, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. —

Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 10 Dec. 2024 Individually wrapped bananas, single-use coffee pods, and layers of excessive packaging are just the tip of the iceberg. —

David Carlin, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 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 31 Dec. 2024.

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