What does “To look for a needle in a haystack.” mean?

"To look for a needle in a haystack" means to search for something that is difficult or impossible to find, just as it would be nearly impossible to locate a needle that has been dropped into a haystack.

What context can I use the in?

Example

Finding a reliable source in the vast sea of information on the internet is like looking for a needle in a haystack. It's a challenging and time-consuming task.

Example

Trying to find a specific book in a messy library without any information is like looking for a needle in a haystack. It's nearly impossible to locate it without any guidance.

Example

Searching for a lost earring in a crowded room is like looking for a needle in a haystack. It's frustrating and requires a lot of patience and perseverance

Is “To look for a needle in a haystack.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“To look for a needle in a haystack.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “To look for a needle in a haystack.” effectively in context?

You can use "To look for a needle in a haystack" to describe a situation where you are searching for something that is difficult or impossible to find. It emphasizes the challenge and frustration of the search. Here are three distinct situations where you can use this proverb:

1Research
Finding a reliable source in the vast sea of information on the internet is like looking for a needle in a haystack. It's a challenging and time-consuming task.
2Organization
Trying to find a specific book in a messy library without any information is like looking for a needle in a haystack. It's nearly impossible to locate it without any guidance.
3Lost Item
Searching for a lost earring in a crowded room is like looking for a needle in a haystack. It's frustrating and requires a lot of patience and perseverance.

Similar phrases to “To look for a needle in a haystack.”:

Finding a diamond in the rough

To discover something valuable or exceptional in an unexpected or unlikely place

Example

She found a talented musician performing at a small local bar. It was like finding a diamond in the rough.

A wild goose chase

A futile or pointless pursuit

Example

He spent hours searching for his missing phone, but it turned out to be a wild goose chase as he had left it at work.

Looking for a lost cause

To search for something that is unlikely to be found or achieved

Example

He's been looking for a lost cause trying to convince her to change her mind.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “To look for a needle in a haystack.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "To look for a needle in a haystack" can be traced back to the 16th century. The phrase first appeared in Thomas More's book 'Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation' in 1534. The idea behind the proverb is that finding a small object, like a needle, in a large and cluttered space, such as a haystack, is extremely difficult and time-consuming.

Is “To look for a needle in a haystack.” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "To look for a needle in a haystack" is a common proverb that is often used in everyday conversation. People use it to express the difficulty and frustration of searching for something that is hard to find.

What tone does “To look for a needle in a haystack.” have?

"To look for a needle in a haystack" conveys a tone of challenge and frustration. It highlights the daunting nature of the search and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the task at hand.

Can “To look for a needle in a haystack.” be used in informal and formal settings?

The proverb "To look for a needle in a haystack" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a well-known expression that effectively conveys the idea of searching for something that is difficult or impossible to find. You can use it in casual conversations with friends and family, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations or written essays.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

The proverb is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I've been "looking for a needle in a haystack" trying to find my keys.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'It's like "looking for a needle in a haystack"!' to imply the difficulty of a search.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

searching for a unicorn
hunting for a ghost
seeking a hidden treasure
pursuing a mirage
scouring for a rare gem

Antonyms

finding a needle in a sewing kit
spotting a zebra in a herd
discovering a pearl in an oyster
locating a key in a lock
uncovering a secret in plain sight