play small
Verb
Meaning
play small (third-person singular simple present plays small, present participle playing small, simple past and past participle played small)
(figuratively) To play for low stakes; to aim low; to be unwilling to take risks; to be fearful.
Near-synonym: play it safe
Antonym: play big
Examples
Travelling to different countries is a goal. I wouldn't mind playing huge places if we got an opportunity to, but it's nice to play small places too. Fish was saying yesterday that he doesn't ever want to play stadiums, or maybe he would once, he said.
To come out in the music business, you only really get one shot. A lot of people get to play small gigs first, and build up that way, without anyone really seeing them.
I like to play small clubs.