a needle in a haystack
noun phrase
informal
: someone or something that is very hard to find
Searching for your earring at the park will be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Examples of a needle in a haystack in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Strapless bras are the undergarment of choice for strapless dresses and off-the-shoulder tops, but finding the perfect one can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
—
Michelle Rostamian, People.com, 22 May 2025
The best drugstore makeup products can absolutely rival their more expensive counterparts—but finding them can also be like searching a needle in a haystack with floor-to-ceiling shelves of seemingly limitless options.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2025
Luckily, finding an airport outfit that’s comfortable but looks pulled together doesn’t have to feel like searching for a needle in a haystack thanks to two-piece sets.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Find Costly Errors And Better Manage Inventory Technology is great at finding a needle in a haystack.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a needle in a haystack
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Michelle Rostamian, People.com, 22 May 2025
The best drugstore makeup products can absolutely rival their more expensive counterparts—but finding them can also be like searching a needle in a haystack with floor-to-ceiling shelves of seemingly limitless options.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2025
Luckily, finding an airport outfit that’s comfortable but looks pulled together doesn’t have to feel like searching for a needle in a haystack thanks to two-piece sets.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Find Costly Errors And Better Manage Inventory Technology is great at finding a needle in a haystack.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a needle in a haystack
Cite this Entry
“A needle in a haystack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20needle%20in%20a%20haystack. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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