a tiny issue

USAGE SUMMARY

'a tiny issue' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something, usually a problem, that is very small or minor in comparison to others. Example: "You can't expect to run a successful business without facing any issues; even the smallest ones can be a tiny issue if not dealt with promptly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Pacing is a tiny issue.

The Guardian - Music

The Houghton Library at Harvard University has digitized nine images of the siblings' many miniature books, including a tiny issue of Blackwood's Men's Magazine from 1829 "edited by the genius C. B.," according to the elaborately lettered first page.

The New York Times

There is Cameron and his entourage betting everything on getting a deal that might prevent some immigrants from claiming benefits, a tiny issue for the UK and an even tinier one for the rest of the EU as it grapples with the apocalyptic migrant crisis.

Independent

It was quite literally a tiny issue: the President's Blackberry.

Huffington Post

Strange as it seems, consciousness was a tiny issue not long ago.

Huffington Post

But it's in the nature of stable systems to become unstable, collapsing inward because a tiny issue won't go away.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The one tiny issue was that he'd never coached a soccer team before not a school team, not a squad of paunchy, hungover men slumping their way into a park on a Saturday morning, and definitely not a team with international ambitions (if not quite international caliber).

Vice

If you're curious about the tiny issue, I just wish that there was a more direct way to get back into Black SMS from iMessage rather than multitasking.

TechCrunch

The one tiny issue was that he'd never coached a football team before – not a school team, not a squad of paunchy, hungover men slumping their way into a park on a Saturday morning, and definitely not a team with international ambitions (if not quite international calibre).

Vice

There's one tiny issue I have with the app but none that should hinder anyone from downloading the app if they want to keep their text chats private.

TechCrunch

Before you throw your wads of cash at Disney execs, we have just one tiny issue.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tiny issue" to downplay a problem or concern, especially when comparing it to larger, more significant matters. This can help maintain perspective and avoid unnecessary alarm.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny issue" sarcastically or when the problem is genuinely significant. This can undermine your credibility and frustrate your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny issue" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the issue, indicating its small size or lack of importance. The use of "tiny" emphasizes the insignificance of the issue. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tiny issue" is used to describe a problem or concern of minimal significance. Grammatically sound, it serves to downplay the importance of a subject and is found mostly in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, Ludwig highlights the importance of considering formality and context when using this phrase. Alternatives such as ""a minor concern"" or ""an insignificant detail"" might be more suitable for formal writing. Be mindful of exaggerating its insignificance to avoid undermining credibility. The phrase is relatively rare, so using it judiciously will maintain its intended effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor concern

Emphasizes the worry or interest aspect of the issue, suggesting it's something that needs attention but isn't critical.

a small problem

Focuses on the problematic aspect, indicating that the issue is manageable and not a major obstacle.

a trivial matter

Highlights the insignificance of the issue, suggesting it's not worth dwelling on.

a negligible difficulty

Stresses the unimportance of the difficulty, implying it has little to no impact.

a slight snag

Presents the issue as a small hindrance or obstacle in a process or plan.

a petty detail

Underscores the unimportance of the detail, suggesting it's insignificant in the overall scheme.

a minor hiccup

Suggests a temporary and insignificant disruption or setback.

an insignificant detail

Emphasizes the lack of importance of the detail in question.

a non-critical problem

Highlights the lack of urgency or severity of the problem.

a featherweight challenge

Indicates the challenge is very easy and manageable.

FAQs

How can I use "a tiny issue" in a sentence?

You can use "a tiny issue" to describe a minor problem or concern. For example, "The delay was just "a tiny issue" compared to the overall success of the project."

What's the difference between "a tiny issue" and "a major problem"?

"A tiny issue" refers to something insignificant and easily resolved, while "a major problem" signifies a serious obstacle with potentially significant consequences.

What can I say instead of "a tiny issue"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor concern", "a small problem", or "a trivial matter" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a tiny issue" in formal writing?

While "a tiny issue" is acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "a minor matter" or "an insignificant detail" might be preferred in highly formal contexts.