English idiom · neutral · spoken & written · BrE & AmE
the tip of the iceberg: meaning and examples
the tip of the iceberg means a small visible part of a much larger problem.
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 “the tip of the iceberg” and connect it to this meaning: a small visible part of a much larger problem.
How to use “the tip of the iceberg”
- These complaints are only the tip of the iceberg.
- The first bill was the tip of the iceberg.
Common mistake: Treat “the tip of the iceberg” 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.
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