small fish

Meaning

"Small fish" means someone or something with little power, value, or rank, often in a bigger group. It contrasts with the "big fish," who have more sway or attention. It can also simply refer to a fish of small size.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

I think in both of those situations, it's important as an actor to learn, despite the success I had as a kid, that it's important to understand what it means to be a small fish in a big pond. Anthony Michael Hall

The big fish run the show. I'm a middle fish, but there are small fish that are poisonous. Roberto Cavalli

The fast fish, not the big fish, eats the small fish. Ali Babacan

In the great river there are large and small fish. Ewe Proverb

Small fish are better than empty dishes. Faroese Proverb

In the great river there are large and small fish. African Proverb

Words in the phrase

Close letter words and terms