50 Idioms for Small With Meanings & Sentences
50 Idioms for Small
1. Small talk
Meaning: Casual conversation.
In a Sentence: We made small talk before the meeting began.
Other Ways to Say: Chit-chat, Idle chatter, Light conversation.
2. Small change
Meaning: A small amount of money.
In a Sentence: That’s small change for someone like him.
Other Ways to Say: Loose coins, Spare cash, Petty money.
3. Feel small
Meaning: To feel insignificant.
In a Sentence: Her rude comment made me feel small.
Other Ways to Say: Feel embarrassed, Feel belittled, Feel unimportant.
4. Small fry
Meaning: Someone unimportant.
In a Sentence: I’m just small fry in this big company.
Other Ways to Say: Nobody, Minor player, Lightweight.
5. Small potatoes
Meaning: Something unimportant.
In a Sentence: Compared to the contract, this is small potatoes.
Other Ways to Say: Trivial matter, Petty issue, Little deal.
6. Think small
Meaning: Lack ambition.
In a Sentence: Don’t think small — go after your dreams.
Other Ways to Say: Be unambitious, Limit yourself, Dream little.
7. A small world
Meaning: An unexpected connection.
In a Sentence: You know her too? What a small world!
Other Ways to Say: What a coincidence, Surprise meeting.
8. Small-time
Meaning: Of low importance.
In a Sentence: He’s just a small-time dealer.
Other Ways to Say: Minor, Amateur, Low-level.
9. In a small way
Meaning: To a limited extent.
In a Sentence: He contributed in a small way.
Other Ways to Say: Slightly, Modestly, Minimally.
10. Start small
Meaning: Begin with a small scope.
In a Sentence: We all start small and grow.
Other Ways to Say: Begin small, Start light, Take baby steps.
11. Small voice
Meaning: One’s conscience.
In a Sentence: A small voice told me not to lie.
Other Ways to Say: Gut feeling, Intuition, Inner voice.
12. Cut down to size
Meaning: Reduce arrogance.
In a Sentence: She needed to be cut down to size.
Other Ways to Say: Humble, Bring back to reality, Put in place.
13. No small feat
Meaning: A major accomplishment.
In a Sentence: Winning the award was no small feat.
Other Ways to Say: Big deal, Major win, Huge success.
14. Take small steps
Meaning: Proceed gradually.
In a Sentence: Take small steps in your recovery.
Other Ways to Say: Move slowly, One step at a time, Gradual approach.
15. In small doses
Meaning: In limited quantity.
In a Sentence: I can tolerate him in small doses.
Other Ways to Say: Bit by bit, Occasionally, In moderation.
16. Go small
Meaning: Choose a modest option.
In a Sentence: Let’s go small with the event this year.
Other Ways to Say: Keep it simple, Scale down, Downsize.
17. Small role
Meaning: A minor part.
In a Sentence: She played a small role in the project.
Other Ways to Say: Bit part, Side role, Supporting part.
18. Play small
Meaning: To stay within safe limits.
In a Sentence: Don’t play small — show your full potential.
Other Ways to Say: Hold back, Limit yourself, Underachieve.
19. Sweat the small stuff
Meaning: Worry about minor issues.
In a Sentence: Stop sweating the small stuff.
Other Ways to Say: Don’t fuss, Ignore minor problems, Relax.
20. On a small scale
Meaning: Not large or extensive.
In a Sentence: We tested the product on a small scale first.
Other Ways to Say: Limited scope, Mini version, Small operation.
21. Small detail
Meaning: A minor element.
In a Sentence: That’s just a small detail we can fix.
Other Ways to Say: Tiny issue, Little point, Minor fix.
22. In a small circle
Meaning: Within a limited group.
In a Sentence: This information is shared in a small circle.
Other Ways to Say: Private group, Select few, Close circle.
23. A small price to pay
Meaning: A minor cost for something worthwhile.
In a Sentence: Missing a meal was a small price to pay for success.
Other Ways to Say: Worth the sacrifice, Not a big deal.
24. Keep it small
Meaning: Keep things simple.
In a Sentence: Let’s keep the wedding small and intimate.
Other Ways to Say: Scale down, Keep minimal, Stay basic.
25. Break into small pieces
Meaning: Divide into parts.
In a Sentence: Break your task into small pieces to manage it better.
Other Ways to Say: Divide up, Segment, Split tasks.
26. Make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: Exaggerate a small problem.
In a Sentence: You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.
Other Ways to Say: Overreact, Blow it up, Make it worse.
27. A drop in the bucket
Meaning: A very small part of the whole.
In a Sentence: My savings are just a drop in the bucket.
Other Ways to Say: Tiny portion, Insignificant part, Small fraction.
28. Small comforts
Meaning: Minor pleasures or reliefs.
In a Sentence: Tea and a blanket are small comforts on cold nights.
Other Ways to Say: Little joys, Simple pleasures.
29. Small blessing
Meaning: A modest benefit.
In a Sentence: A day without traffic is a small blessing.
Other Ways to Say: Minor relief, Quiet joy, Modest gift.
30. Stay small
Meaning: Keep your business or life simple.
In a Sentence: Some companies choose to stay small to stay personal.
Other Ways to Say: Remain minimal, Keep simple.
31. Small act of kindness
Meaning: A minor kind gesture.
In a Sentence: A small act of kindness can brighten a day.
Other Ways to Say: Thoughtful gesture, Tiny kindness.
32. Tiny voice
Meaning: Weak or shy speaking.
In a Sentence: She answered in a tiny voice.
Other Ways to Say: Soft tone, Quiet reply.
33. In small print
Meaning: Hidden or less visible information.
In a Sentence: The conditions were buried in the small print.
Other Ways to Say: Fine print, Hidden details.
34. Make a small fortune
Meaning: Earn a modest amount of money.
In a Sentence: He made a small fortune selling used cars.
Other Ways to Say: Earn good money, Modest profit.
35. Get the small end of the stick
Meaning: Receive the worse part of a deal.
In a Sentence: I got the small end of the stick in that agreement.
Other Ways to Say: Get the short straw, Get cheated.
36. Small window
Meaning: Limited opportunity.
In a Sentence: We have a small window to act.
Other Ways to Say: Narrow chance, Short opportunity.
37. Small-minded
Meaning: Narrow in thinking.
In a Sentence: Don’t be small-minded about other cultures.
Other Ways to Say: Closed-minded, Intolerant.
38. In the minor leagues
Meaning: Not at the top level.
In a Sentence: That company is still in the minor leagues.
Other Ways to Say: Low-level, Beginner stage.
39. A bit part
Meaning: A small acting role.
In a Sentence: She only had a bit part in the movie.
Other Ways to Say: Supporting role, Small role.
40. Under the radar
Meaning: Not attracting attention.
In a Sentence: He kept his small business under the radar.
Other Ways to Say: Quietly, Low-profile.
41. Keep a low profile
Meaning: Stay unnoticed.
In a Sentence: I like to keep a low profile in meetings.
Other Ways to Say: Stay invisible, Remain quiet.
42. Little guy
Meaning: An average or powerless person.
In a Sentence: Laws should protect the little guy.
Other Ways to Say: Ordinary person, Underdog.
43. Baby steps
Meaning: Very small progress.
In a Sentence: Take baby steps when you start a new job.
Other Ways to Say: Tiny moves, Cautious approach.
44. A speck
Meaning: A tiny amount.
In a Sentence: The stain was just a speck on his shirt.
Other Ways to Say: Dot, Fleck, Particle.
45. Shrinking violet
Meaning: A very shy person.
In a Sentence: He’s a shrinking violet in large groups.
Other Ways to Say: Shy person, Introvert.
46. Low-key
Meaning: Small-scale or restrained.
In a Sentence: They had a low-key wedding.
Other Ways to Say: Simple, Quiet, Unflashy.
47. Tight-knit group
Meaning: A small, close group.
In a Sentence: The startup team is a tight-knit group.
Other Ways to Say: Close group, Small circle.
48. Drop in the ocean
Meaning: An insignificant amount.
In a Sentence: One donation is a drop in the ocean of need.
Other Ways to Say: Too little, Not enough.
49. Nibble away
Meaning: Gradually reduce or consume in small parts.
In a Sentence: Expenses nibble away at our savings.
Other Ways to Say: Slowly reduce, Chip away.
50. Small spark
Meaning: A small beginning or idea.
In a Sentence: That small spark led to a big movement.
Other Ways to Say: First sign, Early idea, Tiny inspiration.
