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

As for Walmart and Apple, yes, the former sells Apple products, but that distribution channel is small potatoes compared with Apple’s own digital and physical stores and mobile carriers.

From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025

In some ways, it’s small potatoes compared to what’s happening now.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025

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

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

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez