← Back to collection
Region: General | Usage example: You were at the same concert as me? Small world!

Small world

Meaning

Surprising connections appear unexpectedly.

Usage

Said when encountering coincidences.

Origin & History

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

Reflection on how people are connected like close neighbors.

Popular mid-20th-century phrase about interconnectedness.

Related Idioms

Set the world on fire

Do something remarkable or highly successful.

Dead to the world

Completely unconscious or unresponsive, especially while sleeping.

Sweat the small stuff

Worry about minor details unnecessarily.

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.