tɪp əv ði ˈaɪsbɜːrɡ
Nature & Weather
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- The visible part of an iceberg above water
What does "tip of the iceberg" mean?
- A small visible part of a much larger hidden problem
- Only a fraction of something much bigger
Examples
- These complaints are just the tip of the iceberg.
- The scandal we know about is only the tip of the iceberg.
- This problem is the tip of the iceberg.
Origin
From the fact that about 90% of an iceberg is underwater. Became common after the Titanic disaster in 1912.
How to use it
Always implies there's much more hidden. Common in investigations and revelations.
Similar expressions
just the beginning
surface issue
small part of larger problem
Opposites
the whole picture
complete story
full extent
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
- it's raining cats and dogs
It's raining very heavily
Use it in a practice answer
Try "tip of the iceberg" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.