slim pickings

Idioms and Phrases

A small amount left after others have taken a share. For example, After each of the children took what they wanted of Mother's things, it was slim pickings for the rest of the family . This expression alludes to animals devouring a carcass. [Early 1600s]

Example Sentences

‘You get to 60 and it’s slim pickings,’ the actor says of the ‘beauty-based’ entertainment industry — but with the Apple TV+ spy drama, she keeps finding new ways to shine.

From Los Angeles Times

“You get to 60 and it’s slim pickings. It’s still a beauty-based business and that’s a really tough pill to swallow. I enjoy having life written on me, I’m proud of it, but it’s limiting. So what do you do? Rush off and risk your life on the surgical table?”

From Los Angeles Times

But these are slim pickings for a movement that once dominated the European scene.

From BBC

Still, Trump has slim pickings, as both Rubio and Scott also voted to certify the results, while Burgum verbally supported former Vice President Mike Pence’s choice to resist Trump’s pressure to overturn the election.

From Salon

It wasn’t the greatest “Weekend Update” guest segment of late, but as with the rest of the episode, it was slim pickings this week.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absence
• deficiency
• inadequacy
• lack
• paucity
• shortage