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[0999] Tip of the iceberg

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Only a small, visible, or known part of a much larger problem, situation, or issue, the majority of which is hidden, unknown, or unrevealed.

Origin

  • Comes from the physical nature of icebergs, where typically only about 10% of the total mass is visible above the water line, while the massive, dangerous bulk (~90%) lies hidden beneath the surface.
  • The metaphor highlights hidden depth or danger and became common in the early 20th century, especially after the Titanic disaster drew attention to the danger of icebergs.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Only scratching the surface
  • The small visible part
  • Just the beginning (Implies more will be revealed)
  • The thin end of the wedge (UK/Commonwealth suggests a small change that will lead to bigger, undesirable ones)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • That ain't the half of it (Implies there's much more to the story, often negative)
  • There's way more going on (than meets the eye)
  • You don't know the half of it (Similar to 'ain't the half of it')

Milder/Standard:

  • Only a small part of the overall problem
  • Just scratching the surface
  • Not the full picture / Doesn't show the whole picture
  • Indicative of a larger issue
  • Represents a fraction of the total

Situational Appropriateness

  • Appropriate in both informal and formal contexts when discussing problems, issues, or complex situations with hidden depths.
  • Common in news reporting, analysis, investigations, and problem-solving discussions.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The metaphor is quite strong and usually well-understood. The main point is the large, hidden dimension of the issue.

Examples

  • The financial losses reported are likely just the tip of the iceberg.
  • These initial findings are worrying, but they could be the tip of the iceberg.
  • What you see in the media is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this complex issue.

Dialogue

Journalist: We've uncovered three cases of corruption in the city council.

Editor: That's a good start, but keep digging. My gut tells me this is just the tip of the iceberg. There's likely a much wider network involved.

Journalist: I agree. I've got a few more leads I'm following up on.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: The number of fake accounts suspended seems high, but it's probably just the tip of the iceberg. Bots are everywhere. #SocialMedia #BotProblem
  • News Article Snippet (shared online): Experts warn the recent cyberattack might be the tip of the iceberg, exposing deeper vulnerabilities in national infrastructure.
  • Forum Post: Dealing with burnout? Remember that feeling exhausted is often just the tip of the iceberg. Look at the underlying causes like workload, support, etc. #MentalHealth #Burnout

Response Patterns

Usually met with concern, curiosity, or agreement about the potential scale of the problem.

  • Really? That's concerning.
  • What makes you say that? / What else do you think is going on?
  • I had a feeling there was more to it.
  • So the problem could be much bigger?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • Prompting further investigation or discussion about the larger, hidden part.
  • Expressing worry or speculating about the full extent of the situation.
  • Seeking more information or evidence.

Conversation Starter

  • No. It's used to comment on the scale or depth of a problem already under discussion.

Intonation

  • Often said with a serious, concerned, or ominous tone.
  • Emphasis falls on TIP and ICEBERG.
  • We fear this is just the TIP of the ICEBERG.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood and used across all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common and universally understood in all major English-speaking regions.
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