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Drop in the bucket

Posted by Barney on December 10, 2000

In Reply to: Drop in the bucket posted by Jane S. on December 08, 2000

: I thought this meant "a really small amount" i.e., one drop of water in a bucket that could hold thousands of drops, but I don't really know if that is the correct interpretation. Also, where did it originate?

It means that, as a proportion of that which is required, the amount offered is a tiny percentage - a drop in the bucket. No certanity of it's origin other than the obvious relationship between a bucketfull and a drop of the same.

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