- Meaning
- This idiom means to have more important, pressing, or significant matters to attend to, dismissing lesser concerns as trivial. It suggests prioritizing larger ‘fish’ (tasks or issues) over smaller ones, often used to deflect distractions or justify focus. The phrase is applied in professional, personal, or social contexts, carrying a pragmatic or slightly dismissive tone, reflecting cultural values of efficiency and prioritization. It underscores the need to focus on what truly matters, often implying that the current issue is not worth the time or energy.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in 16th-century England, tied to fishing culture where larger fish were more valuable. An early use appears in John Heywood’s 1546 *Proverbs*: ‘I have bigger fish to fry.’ The idiom gained traction in the 17th century, reflecting agrarian and mercantile priorities, as seen in Samuel Pepys’ diary. Its metaphorical use grew in 19th-century British and American English, with Charles Dickens’ *Bleak House* (1853) employing it. The phrase’s vivid imagery and relevance to prioritization ensured its spread, particularly in business and political contexts, where focus on major issues was critical.
- Variants
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- Have bigger fish to fry
- Got bigger fish to fry
- Have other fish to fry
- Bigger fish to fry
- Examples
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- I can’t deal with this minor issue—I have bigger fish to fry with the budget crisis.
- She’s got bigger fish to fry than arguing over the meeting schedule.
- Have other fish to fry? Then skip the small talk and focus on the merger.
- Bigger fish to fry, he ignored the petty complaint to tackle the lawsuit.
- They have bigger fish to fry, working on the product launch instead of office decor.
- I’ve got bigger fish to fry than fixing your typo—let’s address the client’s concerns.
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