English idiom

big fish in a small pond

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

an important person in a small or limited environment

Why this phrase?

A fish appears large relative to a small pond, just as a person's importance can depend on the limited size of the surrounding group.

Example

“He's a big fish in a small pond here — he'd be anonymous at a big firm.”

Dictionary details

Component words

big fish pond

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

climb the corporate ladder

to advance step by step through the ranks of a company

foot in the door

an initial opportunity that may lead to bigger things

glass ceiling

an invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from rising to senior roles

keep up with the Joneses

to try to match the lifestyle of the people around you

play second fiddle

to be in a less important role than someone else

put your best foot forward

to make a good first impression by showing your best side

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

markdown