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Have Bigger Fish to Fry

Have Bigger Fish to Fry.

English
idiom

To have something more important to do.

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What it means...

To have more important or pressing things to deal with than the current issue.

When you have bigger fish to fry, you're prioritising what really matters and setting aside smaller concerns that don't deserve your full attention right now.

Use it when…

  • When declining to get involved in a minor issue because more important things need attention
  • When explaining why you can't focus on something trivial right now
  • When redirecting a conversation from small details to bigger priorities

Don’t confuse with...

Wrong icon

"Pick Your Battles"

Choosing which conflicts to engage in — bigger fish to fry is about priorities, not conflict avoidance

Wrong icon

"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"

Don't worry about minor things — bigger fish to fry implies an active shift of focus to more important matters

Correct icon

"Have Bigger Fish to Fry"

Having more important or urgent things to deal with than the current minor issue

Where you’ll hear it

You’ll hear the "Have Bigger Fish to Fry" idiom in real life — at work, in relationships, or in the media.

Work & Business

Office Conversations

He waved off the question about the colour scheme — he had bigger fish to fry that week.

Relationships & Social Life

Friends

She's not worried about that disagreement anymore — she has bigger fish to fry right now.

Media & Everyday Life

TV Shows / Movies

I appreciate the concern, but I have bigger fish to fry than office politics at the moment.

Use it like this

Here’s how to use "Have Bigger Fish to Fry" idiom naturally in real conversations, with real examples.

Work & Business

Meetings

Colleague

Should we address the font inconsistency in the deck?

You

Let's leave it — we have bigger fish to fry before the client meeting tomorrow.

Relationships

Honest conversations

Friend

Are you still upset about what he said last week?

You

Not really — I have bigger fish to fry. I'll deal with it when things calm down.

Everyday Conversations

Storytelling

Friend

Did you ever address the issue with your landlord?

You

Not yet. Had bigger fish to fry — job change, move, all of it at once. He understood.

Last updated:
April 20, 2026

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