drop in the bucket

drop in the bucket
a drop in the bucket & a drop in the ocean
Fig. an insignificant contribution toward solving a large problem. •

Jane: We need to stop spending so much. Alan: OK. I'll buy a cheaper brand of toothpaste. Jane: But that's just a drop in the bucket.

Many companies donated food and medicine to help the survivors of the earthquake, but it was just a drop in the ocean of what was needed.

* * *
{n. phr.} A relatively small amount; a small part of the whole. * /Our university needs several million dollars for its building renovation project; $50,000 is a mere drop in the bucket./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • drop in the bucket — (USA) A drop in the bucket is something so small that it won t make any noticeable difference …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • drop in the bucket — [n] small amount bit, drop in the ocean*, not enough, pittance, small change*, small potatoes*, small quantity, speck, trivial amount; concept 831 …   New thesaurus

  • drop in the bucket — {n. phr.} A relatively small amount; a small part of the whole. * /Our university needs several million dollars for its building renovation project; $50,000 is a mere drop in the bucket./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • drop in the bucket — noun An effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem. A $100 donation from an individual is generous, but it is a drop in the bucket compared to the $100,000 fundraising goal …   Wiktionary

  • drop\ in\ the\ bucket — n. phr. A relatively small amount; a small part of the whole. Our university needs several million dollars for its building renovation project; $50,000 is a mere drop in the bucket …   Словарь американских идиом

  • drop in the bucket — small amount The money he paid back was only a drop in the bucket compared to what he owes …   Idioms and examples

  • drop in the bucket — (USA)    A drop in the bucket is something so small that it won t make any noticeable difference.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • drop in the bucket — See a drop in the bucket …   English idioms

  • drop in the bucket — (Roget s 3 Superthesaurus) n. *spit in the sea, pittance, trivial amount, miniscule amount, mite, *small change, *small potatoes, speck …   English dictionary for students

  • a drop in the bucket — ● drop * * * I see drop II a drop in the bucket (or Brit. ocean) a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected the $550 million is likely to be a drop in the bucket * * * a drop in the bucket see ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

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