Have bigger fish to fry Informal

English idiom: Have bigger fish to fry

Last updated: 20.10.2026

Daily ExpressionsTime & Action

Equivalent idioms in other languages

  • 🇷🇺 Есть дела поважнее Разговорное

    Иметь более важные или срочные дела, чем то, что сейчас предлагают обсудить или сделать. Обычно выражение служит объяснением отказа тратить время на мелочи.

  • 🇪🇸 Tener cosas más importantes que hacer Informal

    Tener asuntos más importantes o urgentes que atender. La formulación es directa y no contiene una imagen idiomática de peces.

  • 🇫🇷 Avoir d’autres chats à fouetter Familier

    Avoir des préoccupations plus importantes que l’affaire en question, et ne pas vouloir perdre du temps avec des détails secondaires.

Meaning

To have more important matters to attend to than the issue currently being discussed. Often used to dismiss a minor dispute or unproductive task.

Origin

The image contrasts small fish with larger, more worthwhile catches to prepare. Frying fish supplies the concrete everyday scene; the figurative idiom emphasizes priorities rather than cooking.

Examples

I’m not going to argue about the seating plan; I’ve got bigger fish to fry.

The CEO has bigger fish to fry than approving every email.

Forget the gossip — we have bigger fish to fry.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'Have bigger fish to fry' mean?

To have more important matters to attend to than the issue currently being discussed. Often used to dismiss a minor dispute or unproductive task.

How do you say 'Have bigger fish to fry' in Russian?
Есть дела поважнее

How do you say 'Have bigger fish to fry' in Spanish?
Tener cosas más importantes que hacer

How do you say 'Have bigger fish to fry' in French?
Avoir d’autres chats à fouetter

Related idioms