small potatoes

American  

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. a person or thing of little significance, importance, or value.

   His salary was small potatoes for an executive of his ability.

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small potatoes British  

noun

1. informal someone or something of little significance or value, esp a small amount of money

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Etymology

Origin of small potatoes

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Vanguard Total International Stock had the largest inflows for foreign funds, but at $4.5 billion, it’s small potatoes compared with Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

Too many small potatoes were swept up in the indictment.

From Salon • May 15, 2024

“It is not small potatoes, it is not this small, incremental change in the way that the world works,” he said, stabbing the tip of his pencil into his notebook.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 25, 2023

I think they thought they were making a point that the investigation is just small potatoes and it’s not going to go anywhere.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2023

She shifted a can of pears, a shriveled carrot, and two small potatoes to one side.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez