lʊk fɔːr ə ˈniːdl ɪn ə ˈheɪstæk
Nature & Weather
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- To search for a needle in a large pile of hay
What does "look for a needle in a haystack" mean?
- To search for something extremely difficult to find
- To attempt a nearly impossible task
Examples
- Finding that document is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
- Without a name, finding him in the city is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
- It's like looking for a needle in a haystack, but we'll keep trying.
Origin
The obvious difficulty of finding a small needle in a massive pile of hay. Used since at least the 16th century.
How to use it
Emphasizes extreme difficulty but not necessarily impossibility. Very visual.
Similar expressions
impossible task
futile search
daunting challenge
Opposites
easy to find
obvious
straightforward
Related idioms
- out of the blue
Unexpectedly; without warning
- beat around the bush
To avoid talking about the main point of a conversation
- every cloud has a silver lining
There is something positive in every negative situation
- go with the flow
To accept things as they are and adapt accordingly
- once in a blue moon
Very rarely; almost never
- tip of the iceberg
A small visible part of a much larger hidden problem
Use it in a practice answer
Try "look for a needle in a haystack" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.