The word "minnows" is correct in written English.
It is typically used to refer to small fish, often in a metaphorical sense to describe something insignificant or minor.
Example: "In the grand scheme of the economy, small businesses are often seen as minnows compared to large corporations."
Alternatives: "Small fry" or "Little fish."
"At this time I won't be putting my money on England, but, I will say this about the World Cup; we play Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia then three minnows, so if you win against the three minnows, you're into the quarter-finals.
Many energy companies are overextended after a period when they grew fat and over-ambitious, feasting on high oil prices But there will be endless speculation now about the future of other European energy companies such as Total of France and ENI of Italy, never mind US groups such as Chevron, ConocoPhillips and Anadarko or the plethora of North Sea minnows.
South Africa stepped in to run Afcon only when Libya, in the wake of its revolution, could not fulfil its obligations.Footballing minnows have a habit of springing surprises, whereas comparatively rich and populous countries, such as South Africa, often struggle.
Minnows, whatever their colour, cannot compete in a pond dominated by big fish.
The remaining minnows are likely to be swallowed up in future.The NYSE-Euronext merger is the most ambitious attempt yet at cross-border exchange consolidation.
In the past such minnows tended to keep a low profile, despite their huge collective contribution to the country's industrial success.
Nigeria, the continent's largest economy, buys just 0.3% of what Egypt sells abroad, whereas it purchases more from 40 other countries, including such faraway minnows as Andorra and Barbados.Poor infrastructure and logistics, and a tendency for African countries to stick with historical trade partners, explain some of this.
Beyond the philanthropic notion of spreading a love for the sport, the big boys have little to gain playing the minnows.
Despite bullying a couple of minnows, Scotland and Afghanistan, they took just one wicket against Sri Lanka, and then wilted in a must-win game against Bangladesh.Such a dismal failure given England's comparatively bountiful resources, and the extent to which the team's schedule was bent towards World Cup success means that a change is required.
Reprints Related items From revolution to evolutionApr 6th 2006Besides becoming the biggest opposition party, with a shoal of minnows splashing far behind, Mr Leon argues that the DA's main achievement has been to entrench the idea of opposition in South Africa's political landscape.
AmericaMovil, the world's fourth-largest mobile-phone provider, muscled into Digicel's home market in Jamaica in 2007 and vowed to spend $300m there in one year double Digicel's entire capital spending for 2010.For now, there are enough small countries to keep minnows such as Digicel occupied.
