spit in the ocean

A tiny or inconsequential amount, especially when compared to a much larger one. I'm glad Tony is ready to start repaying the money he borrowed from me, but the five dollars he gave me yesterday is just spit in the ocean compared to what he still owes. I appreciate your donation, but with how much these repairs will cost, a couple hundred bucks is spit in the ocean.

spit in the ocean

An inconsequential amount. The image is a single expelled moist mouthful being nothing compared to the entirely watery content of the Atlantic or Pacific. A similar phrase is “a drop in the bucket.”