ocean

drop in the bucket and a drop in the ocean

Fig. an in significant contribution toward solving a large problem. Jane: We need to stop spending so much. Alan: OK. I'll buy a cheaper brand of toothpaste. Jane: But that's just a drop in the bucket. Many companies donated food and medicine to help the survivors of the earthquake, but it was just a drop in the ocean of what was needed.

See also: bucket, drop

oceans of someone or something and an ocean of someone or something

a very large amount of something. The naughty student was in oceans of trouble. After a week of vacation, there was an ocean of work to do.

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a drop in the ocean  (British, American & Australian) also a drop in the bucket (American)

a very small amount in comparison to the amount that is needed A hundred thousand may seem a lot but it's a drop in the ocean compared to the millions that need to be spent.

See also: drop