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Tip of the Iceberg

Smaller part of a bigger problem or even a larger problematic situation.

Etymology:

  • Iceberg is primarily a huge part of ice that is usually broken from a glacier and it floats in the ocean. This particular saying is a renowned 20th century metaphor that describes the top of the smaller part of a mountain. It is considered that an estimated 90% of an iceberg is usually underwater.
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Repairing roof leakage from inside is just the tip of the iceberg.

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Submitted on February 25, 2019

Additional definitions for 'Tip of the Iceberg':

tip of the icebergOnly the beginning; just a small indication of a larger possibility; a problem is much bigger than it seems.
tip of the icebergOcean Scientists assert in reference to an 'iceberg': The {tip} exposed portion, visible above the sea, is only one eighth of the actual size of this awesome natural phenomenon found in the polar seas of our planet Earth.
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ปลายของภูเขาน้ำแข็ง

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to Tip of the Iceberg

tip of the hatarse over tiptip backtip one's hattip the scaleOn the Tip of Your Tonguetip offtip one's handtip upfelt tip pentip one's hatonly the tip of the icebergtip the scaletip one's hand

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    "Tip of the Iceberg." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/tip-of-the-iceberg_45094>.

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