small change

Definitions

1. Coins of little value kept in one's pocket or bag, ready for small purchases.
   uncountable
2. A minor or insignificant amount of money.
   idiomatic, uncountable
3. A person or thing of little importance or value.
   broadly, idiomatic, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“Holonyms: pocket money, spending money, walk-around money, walking-around money; pin money”

“The cost⟳ of toothpaste is small change⟳ compared to the cost⟳ of dental work⟳.”

“'Cousin Tom,' said mother, and trying to get⟳ so that Annie and I could not hear⟳ her; 'it would be a sad and unkinlike thing for you to despise our dwelling-house. We cannot entertain you, as the lordly inns on the road do; and we have⟳ small change⟳ of victuals.”

“He's a self-satisfied klutz who aspires to be a con artist. . . . Compared with Lawrence, Freddy is small change⟳.”

CEFR level