pond

Across the Atlantic Ocean, almost always referring to either the British Isles or the United States, depending on which side of the ocean the speaker is from. I think we're going to head across the pond to London for our vacation this summer. Well, I have several relatives living across the pond in Boston, so we may go there on holiday this year.

Someone or something within a larger operation or organization who is of less importance or less qualified than those around him, her, or it. This thankless IT support job is really getting old. Ever since I started here, I've just been a small frog in a big pond.

A situation in which one person has more power, influence, knowledge, or experience than others within a small group. It often implies that the person may not have as much clout in "a bigger pond," i.e., a larger group or arena of some kind. Since she was so popular and well-known within the walls of her small high school, Jennifer was used to being a big fish in a small pond. Once she started attending a large state university, however, she suddenly realized that it would take a lot more effort to make friends. His coarse management style made it evident that he was used to being a big fish in a small pond. That attitude certainly won't be tolerated by anyone at his new company.

an important person in the midst of less important people. (Alludes to a large frog that dominates a small pond with few challengers.) I'd rather be a big frog in a small pond than the opposite. The trouble with Tom is that he's a big frog in a small pond. He needs more competition.

one of the most important people in a small group or organization, who would have much less power and importance if they were part of a larger group or organization As the manager of a local company, he enjoys being a big fish in a small pond.

Also, big frog in a little pond. A person who is important in a limited arena; someone overqualified for a position or in relation to colleagues. For example, Steve has both a Ph.D. and an M.D., yet he's content with his practice at a rural hospital; he prefers to be a big fish in a little pond . The expression big fish has been slang for an important or influential person since the early 1800s. The addition of in a small pond as a metaphor for an unimportant organization is more recent, as is the substitution of frog. Another variant is the proverb Better a big fish in a little puddle than a little fish in a big puddle.

see under big fish in a small pond.

Also, small frog in a large pond. An unimportant or unqualified individual in a large organization or other setting. For example, Coming from a small school, Sandy felt lost at the state university-a little frog in a big pond . This phrase is the counterpart of big fish in a small pond.