drop in the bucket

NOUN

small amount

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bit trivial amount

STRONG

pittance small amount small change small potatoes small quantity

WEAK

Band-Aid cosmetic measure disappointment drop in the ocean lick and a promise miniscule amount not enough speck spit in the sea too little too late trifle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When the first tranche of files was made public, he said they represented a "drop in the bucket" compared to what was to come.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

The problem with this way of thinking is that each of us contributes an infinitesimally small drop in the bucket of global greenhouse gases.

From Slate • May 15, 2026

And yet the money they bring is just a drop in the bucket compared with the enormous investments they require.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Yes, it’s a drop in the bucket compared with Harvard’s gigantic $57 billion endowment.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 21, 2025

As much of a warning as that was, it still didn’t sink in as deeply as it should have—because the official responses were, well, literally, a drop in the bucket.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

drop in the bucket

Example Sentences

Related Words