drops in the bucket
Trivial compared overall
Drops in the bucket are contributions so small relative to what's needed that they seem insignificant: We raised a thousand dollars, but it's just drops in the bucket compared to what the hospital needs.
The phrase emphasizes futility or inadequacy—the bucket remains essentially empty despite the effort.
Also *a drop in the bucket*.
- attemptsEfforts to accomplish
- small potatoesInsignificant things or people
- small changeLow-denomination currency
- vastnessState of being immense
- gesturesExpressive body movements
donations · magnitude · enormity · ratio · rounding error · investments · band-aid solution · disparity · scope · big picture · initiatives · offerings · token gesture · endeavors · inadequacy · futility · tip of the iceberg · pittance
drops in the bucketgame changer
Decisive transformative factor
tipping point · breakthrough · major milestone · turning point · sea change
drops in the bucketthe whole nine yards
Totality, without exception
the whole shebang · flood · deluge · tidal wave · avalanche
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