WordVale

the tip of the iceberg

a small visible part of a much larger problem

In Idioms & Sayings

In more detail

(idiom) a small or visible part of a much larger problem or situation that is mostly hidden or unknown

Examples

• The corruption scandal we discovered is just the tip of the iceberg; there's likely much more we haven't found yet.

Nearby in Idioms & Sayings

hit the sack, beat around the bush, once in a blue moon, cut corners, bite the bullet, break the ice