Bigger Fish to Fry Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 4, 2024 by Liam Daniel

When you hear someone say they have “bigger fish to fry,” they mean they have more important tasks to handle. You might notice this phrase in both written and spoken contexts.

This reference will help you understand what this expression means and where it comes from. You’ll also find examples that show how to use this phrase in daily conversations.

Bigger Fish To Fry Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • “Bigger fish to fry” means having more important matters to attend to than the current situation. It implies prioritizing more significant tasks or issues.
Bigger Fish to Fry Meaning
Bigger Fish to Fry Meaning – Created by 7ESL

Bigger Fish To Fry Meaning

The phrase “bigger fish to fry” means having more important or pressing matters to deal with than the current situation or issue at hand. It suggests that the speaker has other priorities that are of greater significance or worth their attention.

For example:

  • “I’m not going to argue about this minor issue. I have bigger fish to fry at work today.”
  • “She didn’t attend the meeting because she had bigger fish to fry with a major project deadline coming up.”

It emphasizes prioritization and a focus on more significant tasks or problems.

Origin of the Idiom

This phrase first appeared in writing over 400 years ago. However, the phrase is believed to have been in usage long before that since other languages have variations of the phrase that fit their own cultures but mean the same thing. It is believed by most that the phrase first appeared in the Spanish story of Don Quixote. Since this book is one of the oldest books known to man, it is valid proof that this phrase has been used much longer than the 400 years it has existed as part of the English language.

Related Terms to “Bigger Fish To Fry”

  • More pressing matters – Refers to more urgent or important issues.
    • “Let’s move on; we have more pressing matters to handle.”
  • Higher priorities – Indicates something is of greater importance.
    • “I’m not worried about that now; I’ve got higher priorities at work.”
  • More important things to deal with – Suggests that there are other, more significant tasks to focus on.
    • “We’ll talk about that later; there are more important things to deal with right now.”
  • Other irons in the fire – Implies being involved in multiple projects, some of which may take priority.
    • “I can’t help with that right now; I’ve got other irons in the fire.”
  • Larger issues at hand – Points to broader or more serious problems.
    • “This disagreement isn’t a big deal; there are larger issues at hand.”
  • More critical concerns – Indicates something more urgent or essential.
    • “Don’t worry about this, we have more critical concerns to address.”

Other Ways to Say “Bigger Fish To Fry”

There are several other ways you can say this phrase and convey the same meaning. Other ways you can say this instead include:

  • More important things to do
  • I already made plans
  • I already have some prior commitments
  • Better things to do
  • Best thing you can do
  • Other matters to attend to

“Bigger Fish To Fry” Examples

Examples in Statements

A statement made by a police officer to another police officer.

  • “Never mind those shoplifters. We just got a call over the radio for a suspect wanted for murder. We have bigger fish to fry.”

A statement made to an entertainment magazine by a celebrity.

  • “I had no choice but to move out of my quiet, sleepy little town. I felt like I had bigger fish to fry and I couldn’t do it from there.”

Examples in Conversations

A conversation between two lawyers.

  • Lawyer 1: Hey, do you want to go to lunch with me today and talk about this case I am working on.
  • Lawyer 2: I would love to, but I have bigger fish to fry. I have to be in court just after lunch.

A conversation between a mother and her son.

  • Son: Mom, are you going to make it to my game tonight?
  • Mother: I don’t think so son. I have to stay home tonight and get some of my work done for tomorrow.
  • Son: Bummer!
  • Mother: Yes, but you will learn soon enough what it is like to have to sacrifice because you have bigger fish to fry.
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