Trump calls US-Iran conflict small potatoes

Trump calls US-Iran conflict that’s taken 18 Americans' lives 'small potatoes'




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Meaning of “Small Potatoes”
“Small potatoes” is an informal idiom meaning something that is not important, insignificant, or trivial — especially when compared to larger or more pressing matters
Merriam Webster
Merriam Webster
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.

Figurative Meaning
In everyday use, the phrase is used to describe a minor issue, event, or item that doesn’t deserve serious attention. It’s often used to downplay or dismiss something small in comparison to bigger problems or achievements. For example:

“The typo in the report was small potatoes compared to the overall quality.”
GRAMMARIST
GRAMMARIST

“The $5 sign-up fee? Oh, that’s small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.”
GRAMMARIST
GRAMMARIST
Origin
The idiom comes from the literal idea that in farming, smaller potatoes were considered less valuable and often discarded or used for less important purposes, while larger ones were prized for cooking and selling
GRAMMARIST
GRAMMARIST
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. Over time, this became a metaphor for things of lesser worth.

Usage Notes
Tone: Casual and often lighthearted; can sound dismissive if used in the wrong context.

Context: Common in both casual conversation and professional settings to highlight triviality.

Synonyms: minor issue, trivial matter, drop in the bucket, peanuts, no big deal
GRAMMARIST
GRAMMARIST
.

Example in a sentence:
“The first round of auditions was small potatoes compared to the final stage.”
GRAMMARIST
GRAMMARIST

In short, “small potatoes” is a colorful way to say “not important” or “trivial,” rooted in agricultural imagery but widely used in modern English to make a point about relative importance.




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After overplaying his hand uin Iranwar Trump is playing the old hot potato gae by calling this gigantic military operatiin small potatoes