mere trifle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere trifle" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is insignificant or of little value. An example: "The cost of the repairs was a mere trifle compared to the overall budget." Alternative expressions include "small matter" and "insignificant detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 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

When deals that can generate profits measured in hundreds of millions are on the table, Osborne's £650k is a mere trifle.

The Guardian

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

These are not mere trifles, either.

The New York Times - Sports

To me, these are mere trifles.

The New York Times - Food

These, however, seem to be mere trifles compared to the fact that Dixon has spent the morning in the company of DJ Nick Ferrari.

The Guardian - Music

Those excesses may be mere trifles compared with the depth of the overall corruption, the speech by Gen. Liu Yuan, an associate of the new party leader, Xi Jinping, suggested.

The New York Times

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While grammatically correct, "mere trifle" may sound slightly formal or old-fashioned, so ensure it fits the overall tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "mere trifle" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it might sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "no big deal" or "small thing" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere trifle" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically to diminish its importance or value. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mere trifle" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe something as insignificant or of little value. Common in News & Media sources, it serves to downplay the importance of a subject, often by contrasting it with something more substantial. While effective, remember that this phrase can occasionally sound formal, so consider your audience and the tone of your writing. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is suitable for various contexts, offering a range of semantically related alternatives like "insignificant detail" or "small matter" for diverse writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insignificant detail

Focuses on the lack of importance of a specific element.

minor detail

Highlights the small size and lack of consequence of the detail.

small matter

Emphasizes the lack of importance or concern.

triviality

Directly indicates something unimportant or frivolous.

inconsequentiality

Highlights the lack of consequence or impact.

negligible thing

Points out that something is so small it can be disregarded.

paltry amount

Implies a small and worthless quantity.

petty concern

Focuses on something small and insignificant causing worry.

light matter

Suggests something not serious or burdensome.

unimportant thing

Directly states the lack of importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "mere trifle" to describe something insignificant or of little value. For example: "The cost of the repairs was a "mere trifle" compared to the overall budget."

What phrases are similar to "mere trifle"?

Similar phrases include "insignificant detail", "small matter", or "triviality", all conveying a sense of unimportance.

Is "mere trifle" formal or informal?

"Mere trifle" leans towards the formal side, suggesting a more sophisticated or slightly old-fashioned tone compared to simpler alternatives like "no big deal" or "small thing".

When is it best to use "mere trifle" over simpler alternatives?

Use "mere trifle" when you want to emphasize the insignificance of something in a more refined or literary style. It's particularly effective in formal writing or when contrasting something small with something large.