What is the meaning of needle in a haystack?

What is the meaning of needle in a haystack?

Definition of a needle in a haystack 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.

Where does the phrase needle in a haystack come from?

needle in a haystack – impossible search for something relatively tiny, lost or hidden in something that is relatively enormous – the first use of this expression, and its likely origin, is by the writer Miguel de Cervantes, in his story Don Quixote de la Mancha written from 1605-1615.

What figure of speech is needle in a haystack?

idiom
The idiom or the figure of speech look for a needle in a haystack is used to describe something elusive in a large space or a sisyphean task.

Is finding a needle in haystack really that hard?

The phrase “like finding a needle in a haystack” is a similie — sometimes, the thing we’re in search of is going to be so hard to find, it’s functionally impossible to do so. Literally, though, one rarely worries about needles in haystacks.

Who came up with needle in a haystack?

It appears that the origin of the phrase goes back to the 1600s. It was first recorded to be used in Don Quixote de la Mancha written from 1605-1615, which was written by Miguel de Cervantes. I’m quite sure it wasn’t a game but was implied something that was almost impossible to achieve even back in those days.

What’s another term for needle in a haystack?

fruitless. futile. ineffectual. insignificant.

What is the best way to find a needle in a haystack?

Probably the fastest way to find the needle is to burn the haystack. Or dumping the hay into a pool of water and waiting for the needle to sink to the bottom would also work. If we were really talking about needles and haystacks, fine – but we’re not.

How do you find a needle in a hay stack?

Another effective method of finding a needle in a haystack is by using a magnet. Metal is attracted strongly to magnet while hay is not and that is something that you will be using to your advantage.

What is the origin of finding a needle in Haystack?

Needle in a haystack’s origin is Arabic. Part of an ancient Arabic proverb. In doing research into the Arabic language and ancient history, I was surprised to find that many of our modern (last couple of centuries) sayings have their origins in old Arabic proverbs.

What is the meaning of needle in the Hay?

needle in a haystack (plural needles in a haystack or needles in haystacks) (idiomatic) something that is difficult or impossible to locate; something impossibly complex or intractable You’ll never find the paper you need on her desk.