petty issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"petty issue" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, typically when referring to a small problem or disagreement.
For example, "The two parties were able to resolve their dispute over a petty issue without any legal interference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If the marginal Democrats are not re-elected, the Assembly could lose its Democratic majority -- not a petty issue for the speaker, Sheldon Silver, who decides voting priorities.

The New York Times

As an increasingly sorry caseload within France's court system testifies, it is a petty issue blown out of all proportion, one that ultimately creates nothing but hatred and violence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Offbeat tales such as "Two Disagreeable Pigeons" lighten the truly affecting desolate vision that colours Highsmith's work, most powerfully expressed in "The Trouble with Mrs Blynn, The Trouble with the World", in which a dying woman's focus on a petty issue, her epiphany arriving too late, provides a perfectly proportioned allegory.

The Guardian - Books

Initially, newspapers and TV channels reported that Sawan and Imran fought over a petty issue after a few drinks.

Vice

If your expertise is clear and highly respected, an annoying manager will usually back off, knowing that pursuing a petty issue with you can make them appear stupid if they cannot keep up with your points.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The political strategist David Garth, who was one of Mr. Carey's closest associates, once said of him: "Hugh Carey on the petty issues can be very petty.

The New York Times

"The number of crimes will expand to include all sorts of petty issues, political repression, and restrictions on speech.

The Guardian

They say the squabbling over petty issues has blocked a badly needed debate over Taiwan's economic future.

The New York Times

"From such seemingly petty issues, drop by drop, separatism ripens, which sometimes becomes a stronghold for an even more dangerous evil, international terrorism".

The New York Times

Some of the Council members, moreover, were notorious for not getting along among themselves; and those were only the petty issues.

The New York Times

Even before the vote, haggling over petty issues had become bitter.And for all of America's repeated assurances that it does not back the idea of an independent Kurdish state, many of Turkey's generals are suspicious.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "petty issue", ensure the context clearly establishes its lack of significance to avoid downplaying genuinely important concerns. For example, contrast it with more serious problems to highlight the difference.

Common error

Avoid using "petty issue" to prematurely dismiss someone's concerns, as this can come across as insensitive. Consider if the issue might be more significant to the other person before labeling it as petty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "petty issue" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "petty" modifies the noun "issue". It's used to describe a subject, problem, or point of contention that is considered minor, trivial, or insignificant. Ludwig confirms this through its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "petty issue" is used to describe something of little importance. Ludwig's AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. With its origins primarily in news, media, and wiki contexts, the use of this phrase should be carefully considered in professional environments where more formal language might be required. While the phrase is grammatically correct, it can sometimes be dismissive, so it's essential to consider the audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Minor issue

Replaces "petty" with "minor", emphasizing the small scale of the issue.

Trivial matter

Substitutes both words to highlight the insignificance of the subject.

Insignificant problem

Replaces "issue" with "problem" and "petty" with "insignificant", stressing the unimportance.

Small concern

Uses "concern" instead of "issue" to soften the tone, indicating a low level of worry.

Unimportant detail

Emphasizes the lack of importance.

Superficial matter

Indicates that the issue is only skin deep and doesn't affect anything important.

Negligible detail

Focuses on the detail being so small that it's almost not worth mentioning.

Lightweight issue

Replaces "petty" with lightweight.

Piddling detail

Replaces both words with more informal terms highlighting the lack of importance.

Frivolous issue

Frivolous suggests the issue is not serious and possibly amusing.

FAQs

What does "petty issue" mean?

A "petty issue" refers to a problem or dispute that is trivial or of little importance. It's something that is not worth getting upset about or spending a lot of time on.

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

You might say, "They argued over a "petty issue", but it wasn't worth ruining their friendship" or "The meeting was delayed by a "petty issue" about office supplies."

What are some alternatives to "petty issue"?

You can use alternatives like "minor issue", "trivial matter", or "insignificant problem" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to call something a "petty issue" in a professional setting?

While the phrase is generally understood, in a professional environment, it's often better to use more formal alternatives like "minor issue" or "unimportant detail" to avoid sounding dismissive.