A Drop In The Ocean

Pronunciation: /ə drɑp ɪn ðə ˈoʊʃən/

Definitions of a drop in the ocean

noun a small amount or portion of something much larger or more significant

Example Sentences

A1 Finding a lost penny on the sidewalk is like a drop in the ocean compared to my savings.

A2 For the homeless population, every donation, no matter how small, is a drop in the ocean of their needs.

B1 The government's efforts to combat climate change seem like a drop in the ocean when compared to the scale of the problem.

B2 The charity's fundraising campaign, while successful, was just a drop in the ocean of the funds needed to support their cause.

C1 The billionaire's donation to the charity was generous, but for him, it was just a drop in the ocean of his wealth.

C2 In the grand scheme of things, our individual actions may seem insignificant, like a drop in the ocean of human history.

Examples of a drop in the ocean in a Sentence

formal The donation we received was just a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed to fund the project.

informal I know my efforts are just a drop in the ocean, but I still want to help in any way I can.

slang Throwing a few bucks at the problem is like tossing a drop in the ocean - it won't make much of a difference.

figurative Her apology felt like a drop in the ocean after all the hurtful things she had said.

Grammatical Forms of a drop in the ocean

• past tense: was a drop in the ocean
• plural: drops in the ocean
• comparative: more of a drop in the ocean
• superlative: the biggest drop in the ocean
• present tense: is a drop in the ocean
• future tense: will be a drop in the ocean
• perfect tense: has been a drop in the ocean
• continuous tense: is being a drop in the ocean
• singular: a drop in the ocean
• positive degree: a significant drop in the ocean
• infinitive: to be a drop in the ocean
• gerund: being a drop in the ocean
• participle: a dropped in the ocean

Origin and Evolution of a drop in the ocean

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The phrase 'a drop in the ocean' likely originated from the concept of the vastness of the ocean compared to a small drop of water, emphasizing insignificance or a small contribution.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to convey the idea of something insignificant or minimal in comparison to a larger whole, the phrase has evolved to also signify a small contribution towards a larger goal or cause.