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A Needle In A Hay Stack

By Team MeaningKosh

The phrase “needle in a haystack” is often used to describe an extremely difficult task or search. It comes from the seemingly insurmountable challenge of finding an individual needle (a thin and narrow object), within a large quantity of hay (loosely packed spiky dry grass). Finding a needle in a haystack is virtually impossible, making it the perfect metaphor for any time consuming or complex task.

Table Of Content:

1. Needle In A Haystack - Purveyor of fine needlework supplies

http://www.needlestack.com/
Needle In A Haystack - Purveyor of fine needlework suppliesPurveyor of fine needlework supplies. Providing quality products and service to the discriminating needleworker.

5. Haystack Needle: Home

https://haystackneedle.com/
Haystack Needle is a design and production agency based out of New York, serving clients all over the globe. Formally established in 2001, Haystack supports ...

6. Quantum Mechanics helps in searching for a needle in a haystack

https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/9706033
Jun 13, 1997 ... To find someone's phone number with a probability of 50%, any classical algorithm (whether deterministic or probabilistic) will need to access ...

10. A Needle in a Haystack: What Do Twitter Users Say about Software ...

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7765515
A Needle in a Haystack: What Do Twitter Users Say about Software ...Users of the Twitter microblogging platform share a vast amount of information about various topics through short messages on a daily basis.

What does the phrase “needle in a haystack” mean?

The phrase “needle in a haystack” is used to describe an extremely difficult task or search that seems almost impossible to complete.

Where did the phrase “needle in a haystack” originate?

The phrase originated from the seemingly impossible challenge of finding an individual needle (a thin and narrow object) within a large quantity of hay (loosely packed spiky dry grass).

What are some scenarios where this expression might be used?

This expression might be used to describe any time-consuming or complex task that feels almost impossible. It could refer to anything from locating something small and specific within thousands of more general items, to trying to find the correct solution among numerous possibilities.

Is it literally possible to find a needle in a hay stack?

It is nearly impossible for one person alone to physically sift through enough piles of hay looking for one single needle.

Are there any other metaphorical examples associated with this phrase?

Yes, many people use this same concept when discussing topics such as searching for jobs, lost items, even love - with each situation being equated to "searching for a needle in a haystack."

Conclusion:
The phrase “needle in a haystack” has become part of everyday language due its perfect representation of an overwhelming or seemingly unachievable goal. As metaphors go, its meaning has been expanded over time and it can now be applied to many different contexts - leaving us all with its hard-to-forget image embedded firmly into our minds!

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