small cheese

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small cheese" is correct and usable in written English, though it is somewhat informal.
It can be used to refer to something of little importance or significance, often in a dismissive context. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, his complaints about the project are just small cheese."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Even five small cheese sandwiches will do'.

The Guardian

Wang orders hot water with lemon, and a small cheese plate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They range from big names Co-Op, Nestle, Mars, Kraft and Tesco to small cheese companies.

The Guardian

Maurice Felix Charles Allais was born in Paris on May 31 , 1911 to parents who owned a small cheese shop.

The New York Times

Toward noon, having collected a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, a sausage, and a small cheese, I was prepared for lunch.

The New Yorker

A "small" cheese steak, divided into two generous halves, costs $3.85, and the heaping portion of sliced sirloin often overwhelms the fresh roll.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

His Atlas of American Artisan Cheese was the first book to comprehensively survey small-scale cheese makers.

Huffington Post

Julienne, a small cheese-coated crock of mushrooms and onions baked in sour cream and mozzarella, is another straightforward, flavor-filled appetizer.

The New York Times

Before his illness Ms. Cabot's father had started a small cheese-making operation, and Mr. Lovell-Smith began a significant expansion.

The New York Times

Samuel Johnson reported that in the 18th century sheep's milk was made "into small cheeses" by the St Kildans.

Wikipedia

Cut them into small cheese-like slices and add them to the bowl.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small cheese" to describe someone, ensure the context is appropriate, as it can be perceived as dismissive or condescending. Consider the audience and the relationship with the person being described.

Common error

Avoid using "small cheese" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "minor issue" or "insignificant detail" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small cheese" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "cheese". It often acts as a subject complement or an object, indicating something of little value or importance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

24%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small cheese" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something of little importance or significance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is often used in informal contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the audience and context, opting for more formal alternatives like "minor issue" or "insignificant detail" in professional settings. Understanding its dismissive undertones helps ensure appropriate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor significance

Emphasizes the lack of importance of something.

trivial matter

Highlights the insignificance of an issue.

insignificant detail

Focuses on a specific aspect that is not important.

petty concern

Suggests the issue is small and possibly unreasonable.

unimportant thing

A direct and simple way to express lack of importance.

negligible aspect

Indicates that something can be safely ignored.

minimal issue

Highlights the limited impact of a problem.

slight matter

Suggests the issue is light and easily resolved.

of little consequence

A more formal way of saying something is not important.

inconsequential item

Focuses on the lack of impact or relevance.

FAQs

How can I use "small cheese" in a sentence?

You can use "small cheese" to describe something unimportant, as in "Compared to the overall budget, this expense is just "small cheese"."

What can I say instead of "small cheese"?

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

Which is correct, "small cheese" or "big cheese"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have opposite meanings. "Small cheese" refers to something unimportant, while "big cheese" refers to an important person or thing.

What is the origin of the idiom "small cheese"?

The origin of ""small cheese"" is not definitively known, but it likely comes from the idea that small pieces of cheese are less valuable than larger ones, symbolizing insignificance.