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
This was, to Biden’s critics on the left, small beer.
—
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 11 Feb. 2025
That covers even things like withholding taxes and the administration of those, which sometimes might seem like relatively small beer, but often for some of our members, significant amounts of money.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
This is small beer for a government committing genocide (according to the U.S. State Department and other bodies).
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 July 2024
This includes fresh paint in several places, some new concession stands, a small beer garden, new lights, and perhaps most notably, two new video boards flanking the stage.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for small beer
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 11 Feb. 2025
That covers even things like withholding taxes and the administration of those, which sometimes might seem like relatively small beer, but often for some of our members, significant amounts of money.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
This is small beer for a government committing genocide (according to the U.S. State Department and other bodies).
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 July 2024
This includes fresh paint in several places, some new concession stands, a small beer garden, new lights, and perhaps most notably, two new video boards flanking the stage.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2024
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
-
But nothings more peaceful than tomorrow to a man going through pain today.—
Becca Longmire,
Peoplemag,
22 Feb. 2024
Noun
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For Herzog, this simultaneous coexistence of high art and triviality is part of LA’s twisted genius.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The token slivers of human-interest drama (a divorce battle, a visit to the pediatrician) that are meant to counterpoint the possibility of Armageddon with the oh-so-ironic triviality of quotidian concerns.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Bottom Line A simple swap like using a lower-calorie spread on your sandwich may not seem like much, but small changes can add up to a big impact on health over time.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
17 Oct. 2025
-
From smart food choices to better sleep routines, small changes can make a big difference for your digestion.—
Julie Marks,
Verywell Health,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small beer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20beer. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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