An item that is almost impossible to locate, anything that has no chance of finding, in a hopeless situation
Etymology:
- Various similar expressions have been in use since 16th to refer to any situation that some things are very difficult to find. The idiom transformed into “needle in a haystack” in the 19th. Many other languages also use similar idioms. The idiom is related in sense that it is difficult to find anything in a haystack, but if the thing intended to find is the needle, it is almost impossible.
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Submitted on February 25, 2019
Additional definitions for 'Needle in a Haystack':
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Find a translation for the Needle in a Haystack phrase in other languages:
إبرة في كومة قش
Nadel im Heuhaufen
aguja en un pajar
aiguille dans une botte de foin
干し草の山の中の針
naald in een hooiberg
acul in carul cu fan
голка в стозі сіна
大海捞针
大海撈針
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"Needle in a Haystack." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/needle-in-a-haystack_44871>.
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