hæv ˈbɪɡər fɪʃ tuː fraɪ
Food & Cooking
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- To have larger fish to cook
What does "have bigger fish to fry" mean?
- To have more important things to deal with
- To have higher priorities than the current matter
Examples
- I can't worry about that minor issue—I have bigger fish to fry.
- She has bigger fish to fry than office gossip.
- Don't bother him with details; he has bigger fish to fry.
Origin
The image of choosing to cook bigger (more valuable) fish rather than smaller ones. Used since at least the 17th century.
How to use it
Implies something is not worth one's attention compared to more important matters.
Similar expressions
have more important concerns
have priorities
have other things to do
Opposites
nothing better to do
focused on minor issues
Related idioms
- piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- a piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- in a nutshell
In a very brief or concise form
- an apple a day keeps the doctor away
Eating fruit or having a healthy diet helps maintain good health
- bite off more than you can chew
To take on more responsibility or work than one can handle
- don't put all your eggs in one basket
Don't risk everything on a single opportunity
Use it in a practice answer
Try "have bigger fish to fry" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.