small

be grateful/thankful for small mercies

if someone should be grateful for small mercies, they should feel grateful that something good has happened, although it is not everything that they wanted. They've agreed to end the meeting half an hour early. I suppose we should be thankful for small mercies.

See also: mercy

a big fish in a small pond

one of the most important people in a small group or organization, who would have much less power and importance if they were part of a larger group or organization. As the manager of a local company, he enjoys being a big fish in a small pond.

See also: big, fish

Don't sweat the small stuff. (American, informal)

something that you say in order to tell someone not to worry about things that are not important. Don't sweat the small stuff, Sam. It's just office gossip - no one takes it seriously.

See also: don't, stuff, sweat

the fine/small print

the part of a printed agreement that is printed smaller than the rest but which contains very important information. Never sign a contract until you have read the small print.

See also: fine, print

in small doses

if you like someone or something in small doses, you only like them for short periods. She's all right in small doses but I wouldn't want to spend a whole lot of time with her.

See also: dose

It's a small world.

something that you say when you discover that someone knows a person that you know. Imagine you knowing Erik! It's a small world, isn't it?

See also: it's, world

make someone feel small

to say something which makes someone feel not important or stupid. As a manager you have to be able to criticize people but you don't want to make them feel small.

See also: feel

small beer (British, American & Australian, informal, American & Australian, informal)

something that is not important, especially when compared to something else. A loan of that size is small beer - these banks are lending millions of pounds a day. And we are not talking small potatoes - building the airport means many people in the area will lose their homes.

See also: beer

a small fortune

a lot of money. Her hair ought to look good - she spends a small fortune on it.

See also: fortune

small fry (informal)

1. people, organizations, or activities that are not large or important. The small fry are soon going to be pushed out of business by all these multinationals. This investigation is small fry for a police force used to massive inquiries.

(American)

2. very young children. These computer games will really intrigue the small fry in your house - kids love them.

See also: fry

the small hours

the early hours of the morning. I was up till the small hours of Wednesday morning finishing off that report. (often + of) She was born in the small hours of Saturday morning.

See also: hour

---

read the small print

read the fine print

See also: print, read