dripping water hollows a stone

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

Many minor influences gradually produce a significant effect.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Nhiều ảnh hưởng nhỏ dần dần tạo ra hiệu ứng đáng kể

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

In this case, as in all others of the kind, the report was known to all the chapter before it had been heard by the archdeacon or his wife. The dean heard it, and disregarded it; as did also the dean's wife—at first; and those who generally sided with the Grantlys in the diocesan battles pooh-poohed

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “dripping water hollows a stone” mean?

Many minor influences gradually produce a significant effect.

Is “dripping water hollows a stone” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.