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Processed with VS1Understand food-based expressions for everyday essentials, awkward decisions, and changing priorities.
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Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis episode uses familiar food to talk about essentials and priorities. “Meat-and-potatoes” describes basic, practical matters; a “staple” is something relied on regularly; and “small potatoes” means something relatively unimportant. “A hot potato” is a difficult issue, while “drop like a hot potato” means abandon something quickly. “Bigger fish to fry” points to more important matters.
Cultural note: These are informal metaphors, not objective measures of what matters. Calling another person’s concern “small potatoes” can sound dismissive. Explain your own priorities instead of minimizing someone else’s.
Keep exploringFood words can help describe the basics, a difficult issue, or a priority that suddenly seems less important.
Phrase guide · 6 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Talk about practical basics and dependable items.
Meaning
Basic, practical, or essential parts of something.
Tone & use
Informal; often used for the central, useful parts rather than decorative details.
Example
“After the introductions, the workshop moved to the meat-and-potatoes: how to write a clear project plan.”
Meaning
A basic or regularly used item; literally, an important everyday food.
Tone & use
Common in everyday and professional English. The figurative meaning is broader than food.
Example
“Short weekly check-ins are a staple of the team’s routine.”
Recognize an issue people may find hard to handle.
Meaning
A difficult or controversial issue that people may avoid handling.
Tone & use
Informal; often used in politics, work, and public discussion.
Example
“The unfinished contract became a hot potato that each department passed to the next.”
Meaning
Stop dealing with or supporting something very quickly.
Tone & use
Informal and vivid; it may suggest a sudden rejection.
Example
“When the supplier missed three deadlines, the shop dropped the arrangement like a hot potato.”
Compare priorities without dismissing others.
Meaning
Something considered unimportant or minor compared with other matters.
Tone & use
Informal. It can minimize another person’s concern, so use it carefully.
Example
“The fee seemed like small potatoes to the company, but it mattered to the customer.”
Meaning
More important or urgent things to do.
Tone & use
Informal; can sound dismissive if someone is asking for attention.
Example
“I can review the font later; we have bigger fish to fry before the safety inspection.”
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