English idiom · neutral · spoken & written · BrE & AmE
a drop in the ocean: meaning and examples
a drop in the ocean means an amount too small to make much difference.
Aprende la expresión como una unidad fija y observa la preposición y la forma verbal en los ejemplos.
این عبارت را بهصورت یک واحد ثابت یاد بگیرید و به حرف اضافه و شکل فعل در مثالها توجه کنید.
Lerne die Wendung als feste Einheit und achte in den Beispielen auf Präposition und Verbform.
Apprenez l’expression comme une unité fixe et observez la préposition et la forme verbale dans les exemples.
Memory hook: Build a clear mental picture from “a drop in the ocean” and connect it to this meaning: an amount too small to make much difference.
How to use “a drop in the ocean”
- The donation is helpful, but it’s a drop in the ocean.
- One hour is a drop in the ocean compared with the work required.
Common mistake: Treat “a drop in the ocean” as a fixed expression. Notice its exact word order in the examples.
Learn it in context
This expression belongs to Lesson 17, where you can compare it with other idioms about nature and practise it interactively.
Open the full lesson →