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Region: General | Usage example: I can't help you now; I have bigger fish to fry.

Bigger fish to fry

Meaning

More important things to deal with.

Usage

Used to deprioritize trivial matters.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Cooking metaphor referencing fish in a pan.

Used since the 19th century in American and British speech.

Related Idioms

Fish out of water

Feel uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation.

Fish or cut bait

Act decisively or step aside.

Your eyes are bigger than your stomach

Take more than you can handle

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.