a drop in the bucket
[phrase]
an amount that is very small in comparison to what is desired or needed to have a significant effect
Ex:
Amounts - Small Number or Amount
Discover how English idioms like "odds and ends" and "needle in a haystack" relate to small numbers or amounts in English.
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bits and pieces
[phrase]
jobs or things that are different in type and small either in size, number, or significance
Ex:
His
notes
were
in
disarray
,
with
bits
and
pieces
of
information
scattered
across
his
desk
.
in (dribs|drips) and drabs
[phrase]
used to describe something happening or being available in very small amounts
Ex:
Donations
for
the
charity
arrived
in
dribs
and
drabs
,
making it
difficult
to
plan
the
program
.
goose egg
[noun]
a score that is equivalent to zero in a match or game
Ex:
After
searching
the
house
thoroughly
,
they
found
a
goose egg
—
no
hidden
treasures
at all
.
fresh out of {sth}
[phrase]
having finished one's supply of something very recently
Ex:
I
was
planning
to
watch
a
movie
tonight
,
but
it
seems
we
're
fresh
out of
popcorn
.
![to [go] easy (on|with) {sth}](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/45210/thumb/180?type=jpeg "to [go] easy (on|with) {sth}")
to [go] easy (on|with) {sth}
[phrase]
to be careful to consume or use something in moderation
Ex:
During
the
workout
,
the
trainer
reminded
everyone
to
go
easy
on
their
joints
to
prevent
injuries
.
jot (and|or) tittle
[phrase]
the small or insignificant details of something
Ex:
The
chef
followed
the
recipe
to the letter
,
making
sure
not
to
miss
a
single
jot
or
tittle
in
the
preparation
.
![to [make|put] a dent in {sth}](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/62232/thumb/180?type=jpeg "to [make|put] a dent in {sth}")
to [make|put] a dent in {sth}
[phrase]
to lessen the amount of a thing, particularly tasks or money
Ex:
The
fundraising
campaign
made
a
dent
in
our
financial
goal
,
but
we
still
need
more
contributions
.
needle in a haystack
[phrase]
a person or thing that is really challenging or almost impossible to find
Ex:
Identifying
the
cause
of
the
computer error
in
the
complex
code
was
like
searching
for
a
needle
in
a
haystack
.
odds and ends
[phrase]
various small things that have no importance or value
Ex:
After
moving
,
they
had
a
box
of
odds
and
ends
that
did
n't
fit into
any
category
.
the smell of an oily rag
[phrase]
the smallest amount of something, particularly fuel or money, that is necessary for surviving or functioning
Ex:
She
managed
to
renovate
her
apartment
on
the
smell
of
an
oily
rag
by
doing
most
of
the
work
herself
.
thin on the ground
[phrase]
existing or available in very little quantities
Ex:
Support
for
the
unpopular
policy
was
thin
on
the
ground
among
the
members of parliament
.
![to [be] down to {sb/sth}](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/48601/thumb/have/180?type=jpeg "to [be] down to {sb/sth}")
to [be] down to {sb/sth}
[phrase]
to have a limited amount or number of something left
Ex:
After hours
of
driving
,
we
're
down
to
a
quarter
tank
of
gas
;
we
need
to
find
a
gas station
soon
.
for (the|) want of {sth}
[phrase]
due to the absence or lack of a specific thing
Ex:
For
want
of
communication
,
misunderstandings
arose
,
and
their
friendship
was
strained
.
![to [take] a tumble](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/40839/thumb/180?type=jpeg "to [take] a tumble")
to [take] a tumble
[phrase]
to experience a sudden setback, failure, or decline
Ex:
The
team
had
a
promising
season
until
their
star
player
took
a
tumble
and
suffered
a
season-ending
injury
.
hair's breadth
[phrase]
a distance or amount that is very small or inconsiderable
Ex:
She
escaped
the
accident
by
a
hair
's
breadth
,
narrowly
avoiding
a
collision
.
(as|) scarce as hens' teeth
[phrase]
not easy to find or restricted in quantity
Ex:
Genuine
antique
coins
from
that
era
are
as
scarce
as
hens
'
teeth
.
in small doses
[phrase]
in limited or small quantities, typically referring to something that should be experienced or consumed in moderation
Ex:
She
will
have to
approach
her
new
medication
in
small
doses
to
see
how
her
body
responds
.