Etymology: from the fact that most of an iceberg is submerged
: the earliest, most obvious, or most superficial manifestation of a phenomenon of unknown magnitude or potential
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tip of the iceberg
1. The top of an iceberg, visible above the water, most of it being invisible below the surface
2. Hence, the small obvious part of a much larger problem, etc (figurative)
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Main Entry: ↑ice
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tip of the iceberg see under ↑ice
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Main Entry: ↑tip
Useful english dictionary. 2012.