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A needle in a haystack

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Metaphorical Use

It's used metaphorically to express a difficult search among many possibilities.

Illustration for Metaphorical Use
Her journal had lots of ideas, finding the best one was a needle in a haystack.
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Hyperbole

The phrase often exaggerates difficulty for effect, but doesn't always mean impossible.

Illustration for Hyperbole
With all these keys, locating the right one is like finding a needle in a haystack.
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Common Usage

Often used in everyday conversation, suggesting a shared understanding of the difficulty.

Illustration for Common Usage
Asking Alex to arrive on time is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Visual representation of the word "A needle in a haystack"

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