A needle in a haystack

usgb
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.
Visual representation of "a needle in a haystack" - Something that is very hard or almost impossible to find because it is hidden or lost among a lot of other things

Often appears as...

  • looking for a needle in a haystack
  • finding a needle in a haystack

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "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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