a big fish in a small pond
A situation in which one person has more power, influence, knowledge, or experience than others within a small group. It often implies that the person may not have as much clout in "a bigger pond," i.e., a larger group or arena of some kind. Since she was so popular and well-known within the walls of her small high school, Jennifer was used to being a big fish in a small pond. Once she started attending a large state university, however, she suddenly realized that it would take a lot more effort to make friends. His coarse management style made it evident that he was used to being a big fish in a small pond. That attitude certainly won't be tolerated by anyone at his new company. I'd rather be a big fish in a small pond than move to New York City and be a nobody!
a big frog in a small pond
A situation in which one person has more power, influence, knowledge, or experience than others within a small group. It often implies that the person may not have as much clout in "a bigger pond," i.e., a larger group or arena of some kind. Since she was so popular and well-known within the walls of her small high school, Jennifer was used to being a big frog in a small pond. Once she started attending a large state university, however, she suddenly realized that it would take a lot more effort to make friends. His coarse management style has made it evident that he was used to being a big frog in a small pond. That attitude certainly won't be tolerated by anyone at his new company. I'd rather be a big frog in a small pond than move to New York City and be a nobody!
a little frog in a big pond
Someone within a large operation or organization who is less important or less qualified than those around them. This thankless IT support job is really getting old. Ever since I started here, I've just been a little frog in a big pond. They don't care about us interns at all. We're just little frogs in a big pond, doing all the printing and copying without any recognition whatsoever. Though Jennifer was popular and well-known within the walls of her small high school, she became a little frog in a big pond once she started attending a large state university.
a small frog in a big pond
Someone or something within a larger operation or organization who is of less importance or less qualified than those around him, her, or it. This thankless IT support job is really getting old. Ever since I started here, I've just been a small frog in a big pond. Though Jennifer was popular and well-known within the walls of her small high school, she became a small frog in a big pond once she started attending a large state university. They don't care about us interns at all. We're just small frogs in a big pond, doing all the printing and copying without any recognition whatsoever.
across the pond
Across the Atlantic Ocean, almost always referring to either the British Isles or the United States, depending on which side of the ocean the speaker is from. I think we're going to head across the pond to London for our vacation this summer. Well, I have several relatives living across the pond in Boston, so we may go there on holiday this year. I'm afraid Henry is across the pond in our London office this week. Is there anything I can do to help?
cross the big pond
To cross the Atlantic Ocean, almost always referring to travel to the British Isles from the United States, or vice versa. I think we're going to cross the big pond to London for our vacation this summer. Well, I have several relatives living in Boston, so we may cross the big pond and visit them on holiday this year. If you're afraid of flying, how exactly do you plan to cross the big pond and get to California from London?
ducks on the pond
1. humorous Said as a warning when one or more women enters a space typically dominated by men so that the latter know to moderate their language. Primarily heard in Australia. A: "So then we went back to my apartment, and I—" B: "Oy, Charlie, ducks on the pond, mate." I tend to curse like a sailor, but I know to clean it up when my friends say "ducks on the pond." I tried to warn Scott with "ducks on the pond," but he kept right on telling his bawdy story.
2. baseball Said when there are runners on the bases. His team is down by two runs, but there are two ducks on the pond. If he can get a line drive, he could tie the game—if he gets a home run, it's all over. Well, it's awfully hard to score runs when you can't get ducks on the pond. Watch these ducks on the pond—they're not afraid to steal bases.
pond scum
1. A layer of freshwater algae that forms on the surface of still, stagnating water (such as a pond). I pushed him into the water, and he came out covered in slimy, stinking pond scum.
2. An extremely repugnant, vile, wretched person. You're worse than a rat, worse than a maggot—you're nothing but pond scum! I would never let my daughter date pond scum like you!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.