a mere trifle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere trifle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is insignificant or unimportant. For example: "He considered the amount of money a mere trifle and decided not to worry about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Losing streaks like this are a mere trifle on other clubs.

The New York Times - Sports

Barca's unmet payroll last month is a mere trifle, the price of Catalonia keeping up with Castile.

The New York Times

This was a mere trifle compared with the haul of Tian Mingqiao, a 38-year-old iron-ore importer I met later that day.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nor am I surprised that austerity-battered countries are happier, for in their world of instant gratification a mere trifle is enough instantly, albeit briefly, to satisfy them.

The Economist

The free-kick Marius Kizys delivered from the left should have been a mere trifle to Celtic's tall men in defence, but Andy Webster got there first.

The Guardian - Sport

Back in January, the chancellor looked ridiculous as he hailed the £130m deal as a "major success" while almost everybody else concluded the sum, covering a 10-year period, was a mere trifle.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

To Jackson, these are all mere trifles.

Huffington Post

Most damaging, perhaps, was the disclosure of an alleged quid pro quo with one of the tycoons, the Israeli Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, which Netanyahu had until then tried to portray as a gift of mere trifles by a friend with nothing promised in return.

The New Yorker

(Last night, again, here in Benghazi, the mere trifle of thirty dead is the result of the explosion of a munitions depot).

Huffington Post

Interesting fact: Last year, Michel Hazanavicius's The Search and Mike Leigh's Mr Turner were both two-and-a-half hours long, but they were mere trifles compared to Nuri Bilge Ceylan's Palme d'Or-winner, Winter Sleep, which ran for 196 minutes.

Independent

These are not mere trifles, either.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere trifle" when you want to downplay the significance of something, especially when contrasting it with something of greater importance. This phrase adds a touch of sophistication to your writing.

Common error

While "a mere trifle" is acceptable, avoid overusing archaic or overly formal language in modern contexts. Ensure the tone of your writing remains appropriate and accessible to your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere trifle" functions as a descriptor, often acting as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that something is insignificant or of little value, particularly in comparison to something else. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere trifle" is a phrase used to describe something as insignificant or unimportant, often in comparison to something else. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is relatively uncommon. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and leans toward a neutral or formal register. When writing, consider using this phrase to add a touch of sophistication when downplaying significance, but be mindful of avoiding overuse of archaic language. Alternatives like "a minor detail" or "a trivial matter" can be used depending on the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trivial matter

Highlights the unimportance of the subject.

of little consequence

Formal expression conveying lack of importance.

a small matter

Emphasizes the reduced size or scope of the issue.

a minor detail

Focuses on the insignificance of a specific aspect.

an insignificant detail

Similar to "a minor detail", emphasizing lack of consequence.

an inconsequential item

Stresses the irrelevance or lack of impact.

a petty concern

Highlights the trivial and potentially annoying nature.

a minor thing

Uses more casual language to indicate lack of importance.

hardly matters

Directly states the irrelevance of something.

not worth mentioning

Implies that something is so small it should be ignored.

FAQs

How can I use "a mere trifle" in a sentence?

You can use "a mere trifle" to indicate that something is insignificant or unimportant, especially when compared to something else. For example, "The cost of the repair was "a mere trifle" compared to the value of the house."

What is an alternative to saying "a mere trifle"?

Alternatives to "a mere trifle" include phrases like "a minor detail", "a trivial matter", or "of little consequence". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "a mere trifle" formal or informal?

"A mere trifle" leans toward the formal side. While understandable in most contexts, it's more common in writing or formal speech. For informal situations, consider alternatives like "a small matter".

What's the difference between "a mere trifle" and "insignificant"?

Both suggest something is unimportant, but "a mere trifle" often implies a greater difference in scale or value compared to something else. "Insignificant" is a more general term for something lacking importance. For example, claiming something is "insignificant" doesn't imply that it is being compared to something else, while "a mere trifle" often does.