be chopped liver

slang To be trivial, unimportant, or unappealing. The phrase likely originated as a part of Jewish humor, referring to the serving of chopped liver as a common side dish (thus overlooked in favor of the main course), the taste of which many do not find appealing. My history teacher had a nasty way of making us feel like we were chopped liver if we got something wrong during class. The candidate is aiming to prove that he isn't just chopped liver during tonight's televised debate. Wow, Tom's really a good musician—which is not to say that you're chopped liver, dear. I just had never heard him play before!