Big Fish Small Pond

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Big Fish Small Pond

In The Phrases Finder

Meaning

People who are important but only within their limited circle of influence.

Origin

The converse phrase is of course ‘small fish in a big pond’. The phrases are often used to convey the degree of ambition a person holds. There are fewer ‘big fish’ and they have kudos and power locally. Those with wider ambitions swim amongst the more numerous but relatively less influential ‘small fish’. The implication behind labeling someone ‘a big fish in a small pond’ is that he/she is content to stay in that position whereas the ‘small fish’ have the chance to become ‘big fish in a big pond’.

The phrase is American and the earliest reference I can find to it is in The Galveston Daily News, June 1881:

“They [local vested interests in Galveston] are big fish in a small pond.”

Big Fish Small Pond / Small Fish Big Pond

In the Urban Dictionary

When someone is the most skilled at an activity out of a relatively small or otherwise novice group of individuals in regards to said activity. Often used to denote that the “big fish” is not as skilled as those inside of the “small pond” would make it appear. Commonly used as an insult to the person being described.
Jim: I am the smartest one in my class!
Hank: Yeah, but you go to community college so… big fish small pond.

Me, I’m a tiny fish in the smallest pond.