Is a drop in the ocean formal or informal?

It is neutral and works well in speech and writing.

What is the difference between a drop in the ocean and a drop in the bucket?

They mean almost the same thing. The bucket version is more common in American English.

Can I use it in IELTS writing?

Yes. It is useful when you want to show that an action is too small to solve a bigger problem.

← Dictionary

a-drop-in-the-ocean

/ə drɒp ɪn ði ˈəʊʃən/

IELTSAcademic

idiom

A very small amount compared with what is needed. It is often used when something helps, but not enough to solve a big problem.

The donation was helpful, but it was a drop in the ocean.
One new clinic is a drop in the ocean.
Our efforts feel like a drop in the ocean.

Adinary Nuance

A drop in the ocean is stronger than just saying something is “small.” It suggests the amount is tiny compared with a much bigger need. Use it when you want to show that something helps, but not enough. It is similar to “a drop in the bucket,” but that phrase is more common in American English.

In other languages

Vietnamese: muối bỏ bể
Spanish: gota en el océano
Chinese: 沧海一粟
Japanese: 焼け石に水
Korean: 아주 적은 양

Etymology

This idiom comes from the image of one tiny drop of water in a huge ocean. It has been used in English for a long time to show something is too small to matter much.

Common phrases

a drop in the oceanjust a drop in the oceanfeel like a drop in the ocean

Synonyms

insignificant tiny minimal

Related words

small amount shortage need contribution

Frequently asked questions

Is a drop in the ocean formal or informal?: It is neutral and works well in speech and writing.
What is the difference between a drop in the ocean and a drop in the bucket?: They mean almost the same thing. The bucket version is more common in American English.
Can I use it in IELTS writing?: Yes. It is useful when you want to show that an action is too small to solve a bigger problem.