Small potatoes Meaning in English
expression
Definition
Something that is not very important, valuable, or significant, often compared to larger issues or amounts.
Usage & Nuances
Informal expression, often used to downplay something minor, especially in business, politics, or personal disputes. Common syntactic patterns: 'just small potatoes', 'that's small potatoes compared to...'. Not literal; rarely refers to actual potatoes.
Example Sentences
Compared to national problems, this is small potatoes.
basic
The mistake was small potatoes and easily fixed.
basic
He earned only small potatoes from his summer job.
basic
Honestly, these complaints are small potatoes compared to what we dealt with last year.
natural
Don't worry, losing your keys is small potatoes—just get a new set made.
natural
For a big company like that, a few hundred dollars is just small potatoes.
natural