Idioms are like secret codes in the English language. They’re phrases where the words, when taken separately, don’t mean the same thing as the whole phrase together. Understanding idioms that relate to “small” can help you grasp subtle meanings and improve your English comprehension. It’s like unlocking a hidden layer of the language!
Learning idioms makes your English sound more natural and colorful. When you understand these expressions, you can better interpret what native speakers really mean, even if they don’t explain every detail. Many of these idioms related to small things help you understand the significance that tiny things can carry. So, let’s dive into the fun world of idioms for small!
Idioms for Small
1. In a nutshell
Meaning: Described in the simplest, fewest possible words; concise; in summary.
In a Sentence: Can you explain the new project *in a nutshell*? / *In a nutshell*, the company is doing well but faces future challenges.
Other Ways to Say: In brief / In short / To summarize
2. Small potatoes
Meaning: Something insignificant or unimportant.
In a Sentence: Don’t worry about that mistake, it’s really *small potatoes*. / Compared to the company’s overall revenue, that loss is *small potatoes*.
Other Ways to Say: Minor issue / Trivial matter / Not a big deal
3. A drop in the ocean
Meaning: A very small amount in comparison to what’s needed.
In a Sentence: My contribution to the fundraising is just *a drop in the ocean*. / One person’s effort is just *a drop in the ocean* when it comes to solving climate change.
Other Ways to Say: Insignificant amount / Minor contribution / Barely noticeable
4. Teeny-tiny
Meaning: Extremely small; minuscule. Often used for emphasis.
In a Sentence: There’s a *teeny-tiny* crack in the window. / The baby bird was *teeny-tiny* when it hatched.
Other Ways to Say: Minute / Extremely small / Microscopic
5. Little by little
Meaning: Gradually; in small increments.
In a Sentence: *Little by little*, she’s improving her English skills. / *Little by little*, the project came together.
Other Ways to Say: Gradually / Slowly but surely / Step by step
6. A small world
Meaning: An expression used when you unexpectedly meet someone you know or find a connection to someone.
In a Sentence: “I went to school with your cousin? *A small world*!” / *A small world* – I ran into my old neighbor while traveling in Italy!
Other Ways to Say: What a coincidence! / Funny how things work out. / How about that?
7. Downsize
Meaning: To make something smaller, often referring to a business reducing its workforce or a person moving to a smaller home.
In a Sentence: The company decided to *downsize* to cut costs. / We’re planning to *downsize* and move to a smaller apartment.
Other Ways to Say: Reduce / Scale down / Cut back
8. Small talk
Meaning: Polite conversation about unimportant or uncontroversial matters.
In a Sentence: I hate making *small talk* at parties. / We engaged in some *small talk* about the weather.
Other Ways to Say: Casual conversation / Light conversation / Polite chitchat
9. The lesser of two evils
Meaning: Choosing the less unpleasant of two undesirable options.
In a Sentence: I didn’t like either candidate, so I voted for *the lesser of two evils*. / Selecting that plan was *the lesser of two evils* since the other option was far more expensive.
Other Ways to Say: The better of two bad choices / The preferable option among unfavorable alternatives / Choosing the best available solution to a complicated problem.
10. In the grand scheme of things
Meaning: Considering everything; from a broader perspective. Allows for small issues to be considered as insignificant or unimportant.
In a Sentence: *In the grand scheme of things*, this problem isn’t that important. / *In the grand scheme of things*, a few missed assignments won’t ruin your grade.
Other Ways to Say: All things considered / Overall / Considering the big picture
11. Think small
Meaning: To limit one’s ambitions or goals; to not be overly ambitious.
In a Sentence: They told me to *think small* when planning the budget for the project. / Don’t *think small* start to imagine and set up dreams for the future.
Other Ways to Say: Be realistic / Be practical / Don’t overreach
12. Small-minded
Meaning: Having narrow-minded or petty views; lacking generosity of spirit.
In a Sentence: Don’t be so *small-minded*; try to see things from her perspective. / His *small-minded* attitude made it difficult to work with him.
Other Ways to Say: Narrow-minded / Petty / Bigoted
13. Shrink
Meaning: To become or make smaller in size or amount.
In a Sentence: Cotton clothes often *shrink* in the wash. / The company’s profits *shrank* during the recession.
Other Ways to Say: Reduce / Contract / Diminish
14. Pint-sized
Meaning: Very small, especially in stature; often used humorously.
In a Sentence: He’s a *pint-sized* player, but he’s incredibly skilled. / The *pint-sized* puppy was adorable.
Other Ways to Say: Tiny / Miniature / Small
15. Microscopic
Meaning: So small that it can only be seen with a microscope.
In a Sentence: The bacteria were *microscopic*. / The artist creates *microscopic* sculptures.
Other Ways to Say: Minute / Extremely small / Invisible to the naked eye
16. Bite-sized
Meaning: Small enough to be eaten in one bite; also used metaphorically to mean easily manageable or digestible (like information).
In a Sentence: We served *bite-sized* appetizers at the party. / The teacher broke down the lesson into *bite-sized* chunks.
Other Ways to Say: Small / Miniature / Manageable
17. A little bird told me
Meaning: Someone told me a secret, but I don’t want to reveal who it was.
In a Sentence: *A little bird told me* that you got a promotion! / “How did you know about the surprise party?” “*A little bird told me.*”
Other Ways to Say: I heard it from someone / Someone told me privately / I know a secret.
18. A minor detail
Meaning: A small or unimportant piece of information.
In a Sentence: Forgetting your wallet is just *a minor detail* compared to losing your passport. / The misspelling was *a minor detail* in the overall report.
Other Ways to Say: Small point / Unimportant fact / Insignificant aspect
19. Pocket-sized
Meaning: Small enough to fit in a pocket.
In a Sentence: I have a *pocket-sized* dictionary that I always carry with me. / The *pocket-sized* camera is perfect for traveling.
Other Ways to Say: Compact / Portable / Small
20. Narrow down
Meaning: To reduce the number of possibilities or choices.
In a Sentence: We need to *narrow down* the list of candidates. / Let’s *narrow down* the options to the top three.
Other Ways to Say: Reduce / Limit / Refine
21. Make light of
Meaning: To treat something serious as if it is not important or funny.
In a Sentence: He tried to *make light of* the situation, but everyone was still worried. / Don’t *make light of* their feelings; they are genuinely hurt.
Other Ways to Say: Dismiss / Downplay / Trivialize
22. Condensed version
Meaning: A shorter version of something, containing only the most important information.
In a Sentence: I only had time to read the *condensed version* of the book. / He prepared the *condensed version* of the presentation for the busy executives.
Other Ways to Say: Abbreviated form, Shortened version, Summary
23. Small fortune
Meaning: A large amount of money, often used ironically.
In a Sentence: That car must have cost a *small fortune*. / It cost me a *small fortune* to fix the plumbing, even with help from dad.
Other Ways to Say: A lot of money / An arm and a leg / Very expensive
24. A tad
Meaning: A little; slightly.
In a Sentence: It’s *a tad* too salty. / I’m *a tad* bit tired today.
Other Ways to Say: A little / Slightly / Somewhat
25. Trim the fat
Meaning: To remove unnecessary or extra parts, often referring to cutting costs or making something more efficient.
In a Sentence: The company needed to *trim the fat* to stay competitive. / We need to *trim the fat* from the budget.
Other Ways to Say: Reduce expenses / Streamline / Cut back
26. Itty-bitty
Meaning: Very small; minuscule. Similar to “teeny-tiny.”
In a Sentence: The *itty-bitty* kitten was so cute! / There’s an *itty-bitty* problem with the software.
Other Ways to Say: Tiny / Miniature / Extremely small
27. Scant
Meaning: Barely sufficient or adequate; limited.
In a Sentence: There was a *scant* amount of evidence to support their claim. / They had only a *scant* supply of food and water.
Other Ways to Say: Limited / Meager / Insufficient
28. Little to no
Meaning: Almost none; very little.
In a Sentence: There was *little to no* chance of success. / We have *little to no* information about the suspect.
Other Ways to Say: Hardly any / Almost none / Virtually none
29. Nuance
Meaning: A subtle difference or distinction in meaning or expression.
In a Sentence: The painting’s beauty lies in its subtle *nuances*. / Understanding the *nuances* of the language can take time.
Other Ways to Say: Subtlety / Finesse / Shade of Meaning
30. Underestimate
Meaning: To believe that someone or something is less powerful, important, or capable than they really are.
In a Sentence: Never *underestimate* the power of hard work. / Don’t *underestimate* your own potential.
Other Ways to Say: Underrate / Misjudge / Discount
31. Whittle down
Meaning: To gradually reduce something in size or number.
In a Sentence: We managed to *whittle down* the original 20 applications to just 5. / Over time, they *whittled down* their debt.
Other Ways to Say: Reduce / Decrease / Narrow down
32. At a standstill
Meaning: A situation in which all activity has stopped.
In a Sentence: Negotiations are currently *at a standstill*. / Traffic came to *a standstill* due to the accident.
Other Ways to Say: Halted / Stalled / At a dead stop
33. Small victory
Meaning: A minor success in a larger situation.
In a Sentence: Getting that customer to agree to a meeting was a *small victory*. / Winning that argument was a *small victory*, but there is a lot more work to be done.
Other Ways to Say: Minor success / Incremental progress / Achievement
34. Miniscule change
Meaning: A very, very small change.
In a Sentence: There’s only been a *minuscule change* in the price. / There was a *minuscule change* in temperature today.
Other Ways to Say: Very tiny adjustment / Neglibible difference / Barely perceptible shift
35. Minute detail
Meaning: a detail so small or unimportant that it is often overlooked
In a Sentence: Check over the document, paying attention to the *minute details*. / The success of this project depends on paying atention to the *minute details*.**Other ways to say:** small detail / insignificant detail / fine point
Exercise to Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom from the list.
1. Don’t worry about the mistake; it’s just __________.
2. One person donating five dollars is just __________ in the face of a million-dollar fundraising campaign.
3. I hate making __________ at parties. I prefer deep conversations.
4. Let’s __________ the list of candidates to the top five.
5. The company decided to __________ due to financial difficulties.
6. The speaker gave the __________ of the presentation because we were running short on time.
7. “I know you’re planning a surprise party for John!” – “A __________ told me“.
8. She’s __________ improving her English, day by day.
9. That designer dress must have cost __________!
10. The negotiations between the two countries were __________ after failing to see compromise on the first day.
11. The artist created a sculpture you’d need a microscope to see, it was __________.
12. Never __________ the power of persistance.
Answer Key
1. Small potatoes
2. A drop in the ocean
3. Small talk
4. Narrow down
5. Downsize
6. Condensed version
7. Little bird
8. Little by little
9. A small fortune
10. At a standstill
11. Microscopic
12. Underestimate
Conclusion
Learning idioms, especially those related to “small,” is a valuable step in mastering English. These phrases add depth and nuance to your understanding of the language, allowing you to communicate more effectively and comprehend native speakers more easily.
By incorporating these idioms into your vocabulary, you’ll not only sound more natural but also gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of the English language. So keep practicing, keep exploring, and watch your language skills grow from itty-bitty to impressive!
