How do you use "Bigger fish to fry" in a sentence?

I can't worry about that—I've got bigger fish to fry. Let's focus on the bigger fish to fry. He's got bigger fish to fry than office politics.

Bigger fish to fry

Q: What does "Bigger fish to fry" mean?

More important things to deal with; higher priorities. Having 'bigger fish to fry' means having more important concerns than the current matter. The small fish isn't worth your time when larger opportunities or problems await.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: More important things to deal with; higher priorities.

更重要的事情要处理；更高的优先事项。

Cosas más importantes de las que ocuparse; prioridades más altas.

もっと重要なこと。優先すべき大事な問題。

더 중요한 일, 우선순위가 높은 문제.

Having 'bigger fish to fry' means having more important concerns than the current matter. The small fish isn't worth your time when larger opportunities or problems await.

'bigger fish to fry（更大的鱼要炸）'意味着有比当前事情更重要的关切。小鱼不值得你花时间，因为更大的机会或问题在等着你。

Tener 'bigger fish to fry' (peces más grandes que freír) significa tener preocupaciones más importantes que el asunto actual. El pez pequeño no merece tu tiempo cuando te esperan oportunidades o problemas mayores.

「bigger fish to fry（もっと大きな魚を揚げる）」とは、今の問題よりもっと重要な関心事があるという意味です。小さな魚に時間をかける価値はなく、もっと大きなチャンスや問題が待っています。

'Bigger fish to fry'는 현재 문제보다 더 중요한 관심사가 있다는 뜻입니다. 더 큰 기회나 문제가 기다리고 있을 때, 작은 물고기에 시간을 낭비할 가치가 없다는 의미입니다.

Examples

I can't worry about that—I've got bigger fish to fry.
我不能为那件事操心——我有更重要的事要做。
No puedo preocuparme por eso, tengo cosas más importantes que hacer.
そんなこと気にしてられない——もっと大事なことがあるんだ。
그런 건 신경 쓸 수 없어——더 중요한 일이 있거든.
Let's focus on the bigger fish to fry.
让我们专注于更重要的事情。
Centrémonos en lo más importante.
もっと大事なことに集中しよう。
더 중요한 일에 집중하자.
He's got bigger fish to fry than office politics.
他有比办公室政治更重要的事情要做。
Tiene cosas más importantes que hacer que las intrigas de oficina.
彼には社内政治より大事なことがある。
그에게는 사내 정치보다 더 중요한 일이 있다.

Pronunciation

/ˈbɪɡər fɪʃ tə fraɪ/

Usage Guide

Context: priorities, dismissal, importance

Tone: dismissive, practical

✓ Do Say

Bigger fish to fry
有更重要的事要做
tener asuntos más importantes
もっと大事なことがある
더 중요한 일이 있다
Got bigger fish to fry
有更重要的事要做
tener asuntos más importantes
もっと大事なことがある
더 큰 일이 있다

Common Mistakes

About priorities, not cooking

Origin & History

Dating from at least the 17th century. The image of prioritising larger catches over smaller ones translates naturally to prioritising important matters.

Etymology: Fishing: larger fish are more valuable catches

First recorded: 17th century

Cultural Context

Era: 17th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Universal expression

Regional notes: English-language universal.

Variations

Bigger fish to fryOther fish to fry