9 Best Expressions for a Rare Find

Idioms are always fun, and it can be great to come up with a few of your own. This article will look at some of the best idioms and expressions you can use for a “rare find.” You’ve probably heard of some of these, but some great new options exist.

The preferred expressions are “needle in a haystack,” “hard to come by,” and “black cat in a coal cupboard.” You can use these to show that something is particularly difficult to find. If you manage to find it, you will often be quite proud of yourself for doing so.

Needle In A Haystack

“Needle in a haystack” is a classic idiom that a lot of people use when something is hard to find. You can use it to show that the task of finding the needle is nearly impossible, and a lot of people will believe that the time spent searching isn’t worth the reward.

• Oh my god. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack. I really don’t have the time to go around looking for something like this right now.
• I thought it was going to be more like finding a needle in a haystack, but I actually had quite an easy time once I got into it.
• It was like finding a needle in a haystack. I didn’t even know where to start looking when it came to it. It was very frustrating, to say the least.

Hard To Come By

“Hard to come by” is a much simpler expression. It’s a phrase that people use when they want to show that they’ve had a hard time looking for something.

It works best when someone has spent a lot of time searching but they have only ever come up short. Generally, the harder you look for something that’s rare, the more disappointed you’ll be because you simply can’t find it.

• I knew it would be hard to come by, but I don’t think I realized just how hard it would be. I’m almost ready to give up on looking.
• Apparently, yellow cars are hard to come by. A lot of people complain that they can’t find them on the streets, but I see them all the time.
• You’ll notice that his good manners are quite hard to come by. Good luck getting a please or a thank you out of him.

Black Cat In A Coal Cupboard

“Black cat in a coal cupboard” is a good idiom that includes an animal. You can use it to show that the two objects are the same color, making it really hard to find what you’re looking for without a bit of detailed study.

The black cat and the coal are both black. While the cat could be sitting right in front of you, you won’t be able to notice this until you’ve spent a lot of time searching.

• I think you’ll find it’s like spotting a black cat in a coal cupboard. You’re not going to have much luck if you don’t spend a lot of time looking.
• Finding a black cat in a coal cellar might be an old idiom, but it’s one that I enjoy using when I’m trying to show that something is difficult.
• You’ll notice that it’s been like finding a black cat in a coal cupboard. Good luck with that! I don’t envy your task.

Scarce As Hen’s Teeth

“Scarce as hen’s teeth” is a good idiom that shows that something is rare (or impossible) to find. Since hens don’t have teeth, you can use this idiom to show that someone is going to have a really difficult time looking for something.

• It’s scarce as hen’s teeth. I’m sorry that I can’t be of more help. I think you’ll just have to try and find it all yourself.
• I thought you said it was scarce as hen’s teeth. I’ve already found a few options that work really well for this sort of thing.
• I didn’t think it would be scarce as hen’s teeth to find something like this. Clearly, I’ve been tricked into hunting for something that doesn’t exist.

Seeking El Dorado

“Seeking El Dorado” is a good idiom relating to the mythical golden city of El Dorado. It’s a good one to use because it suggests that something is impossible to find, but that doesn’t mean that people are willing to give up their search for it.

• I didn’t want this project to feel like we were seeking El Dorado. I’m really sorry if you feel like I’ve wasted all of your time.
• It’s been like seeking El Dorado. It was a hard thing to come across, but I’m glad that I spent all of that time to see what it was.
• It might have been like seeking El Dorado, but my work is now done. I’ve found the rarest substance known to man all on my own.

Polar Bear In A Snowstorm

“Polar bear in a snowstorm” is another good animal idiom that works well to show that something is hard to do. Since polar bears and snowstorms are both white, it would make sense to have a difficult time looking for one within the other.

Like the black cat and the coal idiom, the two colors clash with each other. While it is possible to find a polar bear in a snowstorm, you’re more than likely going to miss it by a few inches every time.

It isn’t until it’s directly in front of you that you might stand a chance of actually seeing the thing you’re looking for.

This expression could also relate to the danger of the search. After all, it’s much more likely that the polar bear will find you before you find it, and once it does, you’re in extreme danger.

• I was told it was going to be like spotting a polar bear in a snowstorm. I must say, I’m pleasantly surprised that it was as easy as this.
• It’s been like finding a polar bear in a snowstorm, and I’m not sure if I want to continue my search. It’s been completely exhausting, honestly.
• You’ll think of it as finding a polar bear in a snowstorm. Trust me. You’re not going to want to spend too long doing this.

Finding Waldo

“Finding Waldo” comes from the “Where’s Waldo?” books that people read. In these books, you are tasked with finding a small character, known as Waldo, amongst a larger canvas filled with other characters and events that distract you.

Finding Waldo isn’t impossible, and a lot of people practice until they’re really good at it. The same can be said when it comes to looking for something that is distinctly hard to find.

• Finding that substance would be like finding Waldo. It’s doable, but it’s not something you’re going to be able to do without a headache.
• I thought it was akin to finding Waldo. I had a hard time with it, but once I realized where to look, it got a little bit easier.
• They mentioned that it would be like finding Waldo. They were right. I have no idea where this thing is, and I’m really annoyed by that.

Four-Leaf Clover

“Four-leaf clover” is a classic idiom that relates to good luck. This luck usually has to come into play when you’re looking for a “rare find.” Without good luck, you’ll find that you won’t be able to get whatever it is you’re looking for.

Most clovers have three leaves. Unless you’re actively looking for them with four leaves, you’ll have a hard time coming across one.

There are people out there who collect four-leaf clovers, but these people only ever do so because they spend a lot of time looking for them. To most of the population, a four-leaf clover is a rarity that is hard to come by.

• I wanted this hunt to be like that of a four-leaf clover, but apparently, everybody has found what they’re looking for already. My bad.
• I’m going to hold on to this with pride. It was like searching for a four-leaf clover. I deserve to feel a bit of pride in what I achieved.
• Four-leaf clovers are very rare, and I think you’ll find that looking for your purpose is going to be a little bit like looking for one of those.

Honest Man In Congress

“Honest man in congress” is a jokey idiom that refers to people’s mistrust of politicians. You can use it to show that you do not trust the words that come out of most politicians’ mouths, as they often tell lies about their parties and policies.

Since most politicians are considered liars, it would obviously be quite difficult to find one who is “honest.” That’s why this idiom can work well to refer to a rare find of some sort.

• I don’t think you’ll find it. It would be more like finding an honest man in congress. You’re not going to have a fun time.
• Imagine how hard it is to find an honest man in politics. Now, imagine how hard it’s going to be to find what you’re looking for easily.
• I thought it was more like finding an honest man in congress. I absolutely hated having to spend all of that time searching.