small potatoes: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    USUKAustraliainformalcolloquial
    • Something trivial or of little importance; a matter not worth serious attention.
    • A situation or concern regarded as minor in comparison with larger issues.

    Examples

    Beta

    • Compared to the massive project, the minor glitches were just small potatoes and easily fixed.

      The small problems were insignificant relative to the large project and were quickly resolved.

    • Don't get distracted by small potatoes when there are bigger issues demanding your attention.

      Avoid focusing on trivial matters when important problems need addressing.

    • The budget cuts in that department were small potatoes compared to the overall financial crisis.

      The department’s budget reduction was minimal compared to the larger financial problems.

  • 2.

    USUKinformalcolloquial
    • A small or insignificant amount, especially of money or resources.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The donation was generous, but in the context of the campaign costs, it was still small potatoes.

      Although the gift was kind, it was a minor amount compared to total campaign expenses.

    • He laughed off the raise as small potatoes, hoping for a bigger bonus next year.

      He considered the salary increase insignificant and wished for more next year.

    • Investors saw that initial profit as small potatoes before the company skyrocketed in value.

      The first earnings were minor before the company's value greatly increased.

  • 3.

    USUKneutralculinary
    • Potatoes of small size; literal small tubers used in cooking.

    Examples

    Beta

    • She boiled small potatoes to serve alongside the grilled chicken for dinner.

      She cooked tiny potatoes in boiling water to accompany the chicken meal.

    • The recipe called for small potatoes, but I only had large ones, so I chopped them into smaller pieces.

      The dish required small potatoes, but I used big ones cut into smaller bits.

    • Farmers often harvest small potatoes early as they tend to be more tender and flavorful.

      Growers pick tiny potatoes sooner because they are softer and taste better.

Examples:

  • EN: I can provide crabs prepared in the French fashion, small potatoes cooked in their skins, fresh green salad, bottle of wine, and strawberries, the first of the season.
    ES: He preparado unos centollos al estilo francés. He cocido unas patatas con su piel. Una buena ensalada verde, una botella de vino y fresas.
  • EN: Is no small potatoes.
    ES: No es ninguna tontería.
  • EN: I can provide crabs prepared in the French fashion, small potatoes cooked in their skins, fresh green salad, bottle of wine, and strawberries, the first of the season.
    ES: He preparado unos centollos al estilo francés. He cocido unas patatas con su piel. Una buena ensalada verde, una botella de vino y fresas.
  • EN: Is no small potatoes.
    ES: No es ninguna tontería.
  • EN: Grant had a bad case of the mountains and I became stubborn about small potatoes, and she stepped into the picture as the beautiful mountain guide.
    ES: Grant tenía un caso malo de las montañas y me puse terca sobre las patatas pequeñas, y ella caminó como una guía montañesa bonita.
  • EN: $25,000, small potatoes.
    ES: 25.000 $, poca cosa.
  • EN: He began to feel that I was sort of small potatoes and holding him back.
    ES: Comenzó a sentir que yo era como una papa pequeña que estaba deteniéndolo.
  • EN: I'm afraid I even have a weakness for small potatoes.
    ES: Me temo que tengo una debilidad por las patatas pequeñas.
  • EN: ♪ And then it isn't small potatoes. ♪
    ES: Y no es insignificante
  • EN: Look, Marshal, you don't want us. We're small potatoes.
    ES: Oiga, comisario, no le haga caso, nosotros somos poca cosa.
  • EN: A divorce is small potatoes.
    ES: Un divorcio son migajas.
  • EN: But I'm small potatoes compared to John.
    ES: Pero yo no soy nada comparado con John.
  • EN: You don't like to be small potatoes.
    ES: No te gusta ser insignificante.
  • EN: It don't pay none to risk getting caught over small potatoes.
    ES: No vale la pena arriesgarse a ser atrapado robando papas pequeñas.
  • EN: Strictly small potatoes.
    ES: Sólo personas insignificantes.
  • EN: He's small potatoes.
    ES: Es insignificante.
  • EN: These are only small potatoes
    ES: - Son un entretenimiento.

Related Idioms

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Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

small potatoes: Meaning, Examples & Usage (English) | Idiomator