a needle in a haystack

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something extremely hard to find It's pretty much a needle in a haystack because these fish are extremely hard to find.

Usage notes: also used in the forms look for a needle in a haystack and find a needle in a haystack

Etymology: based on the idea that it is to almost impossible to find a thin sewing needle in a haystack (a very tall pile of dried grass)

See also: haystack, needle

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These evil individuals have always been with us and always will be, and killing innocent civilians in hope of getting some of them is as hopeless as looking for a needle in a haystack. Plea for peace; YourSay by Birmingham Mail (England) Byline: MAEVE QUIGLEY HERE'S the proof that looking for Mr Right can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Cheeky culchies strip for charity by The Mirror (London, England) I know it is probably a needle in a haystack situation, but if anyone has any ideas in would love to know. The call's out for Bronwyn by Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England)			a middle-aged spread a mile a minute a mile away a mile off a millstone around neck a mind of own a mine of information a misery guts A miss is as good as a mile a mixed bag a Monday morning quarterback a money-spinner a monkey on back a mother lode of a mountain to climb a mouth to feed a movable feast a mug's game a mummy's boy a mutual admiration society a mystery to a name to conjure with a narrow escape a near miss a necessary evil a needle in a haystack a nest egg a never-never land a new ballgame a new broom a new lease on life a New Man a nice little earner a night owl a nine-day wonder a nip and tuck a nip in the air a no-show a no-win situation A nod's as good as a wink a non sequitur a nose for a nosy parker a notch below a number cruncher a numbers game a one-hit wonder a one-horse race a one-horse town a one-man band a one-night stand			A N Other a nail in the coffin a nail in the coffin a nail in the coffin a nail in the coffin A Naked World a name to conjure with A Name-Value Language a narrow escape a nasty bit of work a nasty bit of work a nasty piece of work a nasty piece of work a nasty taste in mouth a nasty taste in mouth a nasty taste in mouth a nasty taste in mouth a nasty taste in the mouth a nasty taste in the mouth a nasty taste in the mouth a nasty taste in the mouth A nation of shopkeepers a nativitate A Naturally Dominating Youth a near miss a near thing a near thing a near thing A Necessary Evil A Necessary Evil a needle in a haystack A Needle Pulling Thread a nest egg A Network A Network for Jewish Youth A Network of Communities of the Poor A Network of Evansville Women A Network Payment Company a never-never land A New Age Restorative Approach A New Approach a new ballgame A New Beginning a new broom A new broom Sweeps clean A New Day Foundation A New Drug Application A New English Dictionary On Historical Principles A New English Dictionary On Historical Principles A New Global Environment for Learning A New History of Ireland A New Hope A New Hope Special Edition A New Kind of Science a new lease of life a new lease of life a new lease of life a new lease of life a new lease of life a new lease of life a new lease on life

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