English idiom

the tip of the iceberg

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

a small visible part of a much larger hidden problem or situation

Why this phrase?

Most of an iceberg's mass lies unseen beneath the water.

Example

“These complaints are just the tip of the iceberg.”

Dictionary details

Alternate forms

tip of the iceberg

Component words

tip iceberg

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

bad news

an unpleasant piece of information; (informal) a person or thing likely to cause trouble

can of worms

a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched

get out of hand

To become impossible to control.

red flag

a warning sign that something is wrong

the writing on the wall

clear and unmistakable signs that failure or disaster is coming

wake-up call

an event that forces you to realize a problem you were ignoring

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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