be a big fish in a small pond

Related to word: fish

Idiom

Definition

  1. To be important or influential within a small or limited sphere, but not in a larger context.

    • He was a big fish in a small pond in their town, but nobody knew him in the city.

    • She may be a big fish in a small pond as the head of the local club, but on a national level, she's just a regular member.

    • He used to be the boss of this small company, but after joining a large corporation, he found himself just one of many.