like looking for a needle in a haystack
Similar to searching for something that is very difficult to locate, especially something small and/or something hidden among similar things. Trying to find my contact lens on the floor was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
like looking for a needle in a haystack
Fig. engaged in a hopeless search. Trying to find a white glove in the snow is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I tried to find my lost contact lens on the beach, but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
like looking for a needle in a haystack
If trying to find something is like looking for a needle in a haystack, it is extremely difficult or impossible. She was told by police that searching for the dog would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Note: This expression is very variable. It soon became clear that we were looking for a needle in a haystack. It's very much a needle in a haystack situation that we're dealing with.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
like looking for/trying to find a ˌneedle in a ˈhaystack
very difficult to find: How can we ever find the quotation if you don’t even know what part of the book it comes from? It’ll be like looking for a needle in a haystack.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017