A drop in the ocean

5th February 2024

A drop in the ocean

We use this expression to say that a quantity - usually money - is not very important for someone or something.
Usage
Written: 
Yes
Spoken: 
Yes
Formal: 
No
Informal: 
Yes
Example 1
She wears a lot of expensive jewellery. That gold ring must be worth thousands!
Sure, but she's a multi-millionaire, so that's a drop in the ocean for her.
Example 2
The government is spending £2 million on improving car parking in the city.
Yes, but that's a drop in the ocean compared to what they spend on arms.