PhrasesHub

drop in the ocean

    Definitions

      • small or insignificant amount
        To emphasize that something is very small or unimportant in comparison to the whole or overall situation

      • trying to solve a larger problem by addressing a small part of it
        To suggest that a small contribution or effort is not enough to solve a larger issue or problem

    Examples of drop in the ocean

    • Her small business is just a drop in the ocean compared to the big corporations.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is insignificant or small in comparison to something much larger. In this example, the speaker is comparing a small business to large corporations, and saying that the business is very small in comparison.

    • His contribution to the project was a drop in the ocean compared to the work done by the rest of the team.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe something that is not very important or significant. In this case, the speaker is saying that the person's contribution was very small compared to the work done by the rest of the team.

    • The company's profits are a drop in the ocean compared to the losses they've incurred.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe something that is insignificant in comparison to something much larger. In this case, the speaker is saying that the company's profits are very small compared to the losses they've incurred.

    • Her efforts to save the environment are just a drop in the ocean compared to the damage being done by pollution.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe something that is not very effective or significant in comparison to something much larger. In this case, the speaker is saying that the person's efforts to save the environment are very small compared to the damage being done by pollution.

    • The new product is just a drop in the ocean compared to the company's other successful products.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe something that is not very successful or popular in comparison to something much larger. In this case, the speaker is saying that the new product is very small in comparison to the company's other successful products.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "drop in the ocean" is often used to convey the idea of a small or insignificant amount. It can be used to describe something that is very small in comparison to the whole or overall situation, or to suggest that a small effort or contribution is not enough to solve a larger issue.

    In both cases, the idiom is used to emphasize the idea of something being small or unimportant. It can also be used to express the futility of trying to solve a larger problem by addressing a small part of it.

    Origin of "drop in the ocean"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 18th century when it was first used in English literature. It is believed to have been derived from the Latin phrase "minimum est quod in mare", which translates to "it is the least that is in the sea."

    The phrase gained popularity in the 19th century and has since become a commonly used idiom in the English language. Its use can be seen in various literary works, including Charles Dickens' novel "David Copperfield" and John Milton's poem "Paradise Lost."

    The idiom is thought to have originated from the idea that a single drop of water is insignificant in the vastness of the ocean. This concept is then applied to signify something small or unimportant in comparison to a larger entity or situation.