Have you ever heard someone talk about 'the tip of the iceberg'? If so, you might have wondered what they were talking about. In this article, we'll explore the meaning of this common idiom, its possible origins, and how to use it in a sentence.
If you just want to know what it means, here's the short version:
Like with most idioms, you shouldn't interpret the words literally. The meaning is intended to be metaphorical. That's right; there don't need to be any icebergs involved for you to use this expression, although, as we'll discover later, there might have been icebergs involved initially.
The idiom 'the tip of the iceberg' conveys that a small, visible part of something is just a small indication of a much larger, hidden issue or problem. It suggests that what is immediately apparent is only a tiny, insignificant portion of a more complex or extensive situation.
It usually refers to a negative or problematic situation, although not always.
Imagine, for example, that some official government files were leaked, and they revealed some compromising information.
You might say:
The leaked documents are alarming, but they're only the tip of the iceberg. There's so much more we don't know yet.
To summarize, the tip of the iceberg is the part of the problem you can see, and the rest of the iceberg—the part that's submerged underwater—is the part of the problem you can't see, but you know is there.
The phrase originates from only about 10% of an iceberg is visible above the waterline; most of its mass is submerged beneath the surface. Similarly, when people use the expression' the tip of the iceberg,' they suggest that what is observable or known is just a tiny fraction of the overall issue. There is much more beneath the surface or yet to be revealed.
This characteristic of icebergs poses a significant danger to ships, as the submerged part can be much more significant and potentially cause damage. This was the case with the RMS Titanic, which sank in 1912. When it first hit the iceberg, the crew wasn't aware of how serious the situation was because they couldn't see how giant the iceberg was under the water. They later realized, too late, that the iceberg had caused irreversible damage.
Some believe that's when this expression was coined, and it's only gained in popularity since and has extended beyond its original maritime meaning, becoming a common expression in everyday language.
Now that we've covered the meaning of this idiom and its origins, here are some example sentences where it is used.
The financial audit showed some discrepancies, but those were just the tip of the iceberg when it came to the organization's financial problems.
The messy room is just the tip of the iceberg; wait until you see the chaos in the kitchen!
Fixing the leaky faucet was only the tip of the iceberg in our home improvement adventure.
Her quirky fashion sense is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her eccentric personality.
Forgot your umbrella? Well, that's just the tip of the iceberg in today's series of unfortunate events!
The first chapter of the mystery novel is just the tip of the iceberg; the plot thickens from there.
The awkward moment at the party was just the tip of the iceberg in a night full of hilariously embarrassing incidents.
His latest prank was just the tip of the iceberg; he has a whole arsenal of mischief up his sleeve.
The dessert menu is tempting, but remember, that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to indulgent treats!
The initial investigation into the security breach revealed a few compromised accounts, but that was only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the data vulnerability.
There are many other ways to say there's a part of a situation that isn't visible. They're great to use if you're looking for alternative phrases.
That concludes this article about this famous expression. To summarize, the tip of the iceberg is the part of the situation you can see.
Are you ready to learn more English phrases and expand your vocabulary? Check out our idioms blog for other idioms, expressions, sayings, and more!
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