as in nothing
something of little importance
the money we spend on cable is small beer compared to the mortgage payment we have to come up with every month
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of small beer
Another type of small beer — so named because of its low alcohol content, typically 2 to 4 percent — was made by reusing grain from a previous brew.
—
Leslie Shapiro, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
And there's a possibility there may be a small beer garden near the barbecue area, but this detail had not yet been finalized.
—The Arizona Republic, 16 Aug. 2023
Twelve pieces max are complemented by a small beer and sake selection.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2023
But this is small beer compared to being willing to absorb a $6.7 billion dollar hit over a decade in service of Indiana’s SPI interests.
—Robert G. Eccles, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for small beer 
Leslie Shapiro, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
And there's a possibility there may be a small beer garden near the barbecue area, but this detail had not yet been finalized.
—The Arizona Republic, 16 Aug. 2023
Twelve pieces max are complemented by a small beer and sake selection.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2023
But this is small beer compared to being willing to absorb a $6.7 billion dollar hit over a decade in service of Indiana’s SPI interests.
—Robert G. Eccles, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for small beer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small beer
Noun
-
My memoir was built of gaps, juxtaposition, weird little nothings.—
Cheri Lucas Rowlands,
Longreads,
16 Dec. 2024
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The one whose legs turned nothings into somethings, improvising the Lions’ entire defensive game plan into a pile of ash?—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2024
Noun
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In other words, no drugs, alcohol abuse, tardiness, triviality, egocentricity.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2025
-
The opportunity to investigate that with the body cam footage and see the triviality of the conflict.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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To be prudent, the organization is making small changes like limiting travel, and only stocking up on supplies for short term needs.—
Selena Simmons-Duffin,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
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After months and years of rumors and official hints, Nintendo has finally pulled back the curtain on the Switch 2 with a first-look trailer (and sparse promo website) highlighting many small changes from the old Switch.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near small beer
Cite this Entry
“Small beer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20beer. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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