small fry

The idiomatic expression "small potatoes" is closely related to the idiom "small fry." "Small potatoes" is used to describe something or someone that is unimportant or insignificant. This expression refers to the idea that potatoes, especially smaller ones, are not as valuable or significant as larger ones. In a similar vein, "small fry" can also be used to characterize individuals or things that are considered unimportant or insignificant in comparison to others.

The idiom "fish to fry" is also related to the expression "small fry." "Fish to fry" refers to having more pressing or important matters to attend to. It implies that there are more significant tasks or issues to deal with, and therefore, the current matter being discussed or addressed is not a priority. This idiom can be seen as an extension of the concept of "small fry," as it emphasizes the relative unimportance or insignificance of the matter at hand.

The idiomatic expression "small fry" can be used to describe individuals or things that are perceived as unimportant or insignificant. It shares similarities with other idioms such as "small potatoes," "small change," "fish to fry," and "chump change" which all convey the concept of insignificance or unimportance in different contexts and scenarios. These idioms reflect the human tendency to assign value and importance to various aspects of life, whether it be in relation to money, tasks, or individuals.