drop in the bucket

Meaning: A contribution or action so small it is negligible compared to a massive problem.

Example: “The donation is generous, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to what the hospital needs.”

Equivalents in other languages

Japanese: 雀の涙 (suzume no namida) Literally: Sparrow's tears
Hindi: ऊँट के मुँह में जीरा (Ūṅṭ ke muṅh meṅ jīrā) Literally: A cumin seed in a camel's mouth
Russian: Кот наплакал (Kot naplakal) Literally: As much as the cat wept

Origin: The phrase pictures a single drop falling into an ocean or large bucket—a volume so tiny it makes no perceptible difference.

blow up in one's face To fail spectacularly or cause a plan to collapse in an embarrassing way.
back up the truck To make a large purchase by taking advantage of a favorable price.
haul someone over the coals To scold or reprimand someone severely for wrongdoing.
make a fist of To accomplish something with reasonable competence or success.
tilt at windmills To waste effort fighting against imaginary enemies or pursuing hopeless causes.
welcome to my world You are now experiencing something unpleasant that the speaker knows well and has dealt w…

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

Actual Actually means 'current' or 'present'. For actual (real), say real or verdadero.
Largo Actually means 'long'. For large, say grande.
Molestar Actually means 'to bother' or 'to annoy'. ¿Te molesta el ruido? = Does the noise bother y…

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