Meaning
A very small and inadequate amount compared to what is needed.
Cultural Background
Often used in political debates regarding government spending. Commonly used in charity contexts to describe small donations. Used in corporate meetings to describe budget constraints.
Don't pluralize
Always say 'a drop', not 'drops'.
Be careful
Don't use this to thank someone for a gift.
Meaning
A very small and inadequate amount compared to what is needed.
Don't pluralize
Always say 'a drop', not 'drops'.
Be careful
Don't use this to thank someone for a gift.
Use it in business
It's great for explaining why a budget is too small.
Test Yourself
Complete the idiom.
The money we raised is just a ____ in the bucket.
The idiom is 'a drop in the bucket'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct sentence.
This is the standard form of the idiom.
When would you use this phrase?
You have a huge debt and pay $1. What do you say?
It describes an amount that is too small to solve the problem.
Complete the dialogue.
A: We need 1000 people to sign this. B: We only have 5. A: That's ____.
5 is much smaller than 1000.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesThe money we raised is just a ____ in the bucket.
The idiom is 'a drop in the bucket'.
Choose the correct sentence.
This is the standard form of the idiom.
You have a huge debt and pay $1. What do you say?
It describes an amount that is too small to solve the problem.
A: We need 1000 people to sign this. B: We only have 5. A: That's ____.
5 is much smaller than 1000.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, that is not a standard idiom.
It can be if you use it to dismiss someone's help.
It is neutral and works in most situations.
Yes, 'an hour is a drop in the bucket'.
There is no common plural.
It is used in both.
Use it to describe small progress.
Yes, it is a figurative idiom.
Related Phrases
A drop in the ocean
synonymSame meaning.
Peanuts
synonymA very small amount of money.
A drop in the sea
synonymSame meaning.
