What does the idiom bigger fish to fry mean?

informal. to have something more important to do.
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Where does the phrase bigger fish to fry come from?

It can be said that the police officer has bigger fish to fry than the shoplifter because he is chasing down a murderer. The expression is attested from the year 1660 in the work titled Memoirs written by John Evelyn.
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What does the idiom a big fish mean?

: a person who is very well known or important in a small group of people but who is not known or important outside that group.
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What is an example of other fish to fry?

1) Owen had other fish to fry and for the next two days he was busy on other things. 2) And Landless had just told him on the telephone that he had other fish to fry. 3) I'm not going with you, I have other fish to fry. 4) If you'll excuse me, I have other fish to fry.
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What does fry mean when talking about fish?

Fry – refers to a recently hatched fish that has reached the stage where its yolk-sac has almost disappeared and its swim bladder is operational to the point where the fish can actively feed for itself.
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Bigger Fish to Fry Meaning | Idioms In English



What is the meaning of big fish in a small pond?

Definition of a big fish in a small pond

: a person who is very well known or important in a small group of people but who is not known or important outside that group In school he was a big fish in a small pond, but once he moved to the city he was just another struggling actor.
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What is the meaning of cold fish?

: a cold aloof person.
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What is the meaning of to fish in troubled waters?

Try to take advantage of a confused situation. For example, He often buys up stock in companies declaring bankruptcy; fishing in troubled waters generally pays off. This term, first recorded in 1568, expresses the even older notion that fish bite more readily when seas are rough.
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What does it mean when a man is called a fish?

a person who is "FISH" - an acronym for "fit, intelligent, sexy, hot". (In other words: attractive, intelligent, attractive, attractive.) Jenny is such a fish!
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What does the idiom a fish of time mean?

If you say that someone is having a whale of a time, you mean that they are enjoying themselves very much. [informal]
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What are examples of idioms?

Common Idioms in English
  • Getting fired turned out to be a blessing in disguise. ...
  • These red poppies are a dime a dozen. ...
  • Don't beat around the bush. ...
  • After some reflection, he decided to bite the bullet. ...
  • I'm going to call it a night. ...
  • He's got a chip on his shoulder. ...
  • Would you cut me some slack? - Don't be so hard on me.
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What does the idiom full of beans mean?

Definition of full of beans

informal. 1 : full of energy and life We were young and full of beans. 2 US : not correct or truthful : full of nonsense If that's what he's been saying, then he's full of beans.
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What are idioms in grammar?

Definition of idiom

1 : an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as up in the air for "undecided") or in its grammatically atypical use of words (such as give way)
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What is the meaning of pulled a long face?

pull a long face in American English

or wear a long face. to look sad, glum, disapproving, etc.
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What is the meaning of the idiom bolt from the blue?

Definition of bolt from the blue

: a complete surprise : something totally unexpected.
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What is the meaning of the idiom to paint the town red?

Definition of paint the town (red)

informal. : to go out drinking, dancing, etc.
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What is the meaning of the idiom a snake in the grass?

Definition of snake in the grass

: a secretly faithless friend.
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What does done up like a dog's dinner mean?

Today's Phrase

If someone is described as being 'dressed like a dog's dinner', it means they are wearing clothes which are inappropriate for the occasion or too formal. This is quite a negative way to describe someone! Examples.
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What is a dark horse expression?

A dark horse is a previously less known person or thing that emerges to prominence in a situation, especially in a competition involving multiple rivals, or a contestant that on paper should be unlikely to succeed but yet still might.
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What is the meaning of the idiom to face the music?

To accept unpleasant consequences: “After several years of cheating his employer, the embezzler finally had to face the music.”
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What does to go to the dogs mean?

Definition of go to the dogs

informal. : to become ruined : to change to a much worse condition Our favorite restaurant has gone to the dogs lately. The economy is going to the dogs.
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What is the meaning of fish around?

To seek within some place by or as if by probing: She was fishing around in her pocket for a quarter. He fished around for compliments after the meeting. See also: around, fish.
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What is the meaning of the idiom in full swing?

Definition of in full swing

: at the highest level of activity Work on the project is in full swing.
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What does Big Fish mean in business?

It refers to a company that keeps its inventory for a long time, often because of poor sales.
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