What Does "Tip of the Iceberg" Mean?
"Tip of the iceberg" is an English idiom. It means "a small, visible part of a much larger problem or issue that remains hidden or undiscovered."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "tip of the iceberg" used in a sentence:- The financial discrepancies they uncovered were just the tip of the iceberg; more fraud was hidden beneath the surface.
- The initial complaints about workplace harassment were merely the tip of the iceberg, revealing a systemic problem.
- Addressing the tip of the iceberg can lead to uncovering deeper-rooted issues within an organization.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Tip of the Iceberg" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "tip of the iceberg" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!


- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 10 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Cyber Guru (+)
Cyber Hero (+)
Cyber Captain (+)
Cyber Sergeant (+)
Cyber Recruit (+)
Cyber Guru (+)
Cyber Hero (+)
Cyber Captain (+)
Cyber Sergeant (+)
Cyber Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
