A needle in a haystack
phrase
Something that is very hard or almost impossible to find because it is hidden or lost among a lot of other things.
Finding the correct answer in a sea of information can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Often appears as...
- looking for a needle in a haystack
- finding a needle in a haystack
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
Something that is very hard or almost impossible to find because it is hidden or lost among a lot of other things.
Finding the correct answer in a sea of information can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Often appears as...
- looking for a needle in a haystack
- finding a needle in a haystack
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
It's used metaphorically to express a difficult search among many possibilities.
Her journal had lots of ideas, finding the best one was a needle in a haystack.
Pro Tip 2/3Hyperbole
The phrase often exaggerates difficulty for effect, but doesn't always mean impossible.
With all these keys, locating the right one is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Pro Tip 3/3Common Usage
Often used in everyday conversation, suggesting a shared understanding of the difficulty.
Asking Alex to arrive on time is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
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