Cool MateNot a big deal vs Such a little thing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Not a big deal
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Such a little thing
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Not a big deal
| Not a big deal | Such a little thing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ə bɪɡ diːl//🇺🇸 //nɑt ə bɪɡ dil// | 🇬🇧 //sʌtʃ ə ˈlɪt(ə)l θɪŋ//🇺🇸 //sʌtʃ ə ˈlɪt(əl) θɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Not important or serious. | a small or unimportant matter |
| Example | When I spilled my drink, I just said, 'It's not a big deal.' | Don't worry about it, it's just such a little thing. |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | it's not a big deal, not a big deal to me, make it not a big deal | focus on such a little thing, worry about such a little thing, make a fuss over such a little thing |
| Common mistakes | Saying 'not big deal' without 'a'., Using it in formal writing., Confusing with 'not important' which can sound harsher. | Used in formal writing contexts, Confused with 'such small things', Misplaced emphasis can change the meaning |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations to downplay a situation. Avoid in formal contexts or serious discussions. | Use this phrase in casual conversations to minimize the importance of an issue. It is not suitable for formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Not a big deal vs Such a little thing
What's the difference between Not a big deal and Such a little thing?
Not a big deal: Not important or serious. Such a little thing: a small or unimportant matter
Which is more common: Not a big deal and Such a little thing?
Not a big deal is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Not a big deal: When I spilled my drink, I just said, 'It's not a big deal.' Such a little thing: Don't worry about it, it's just such a little thing.
Can I use Not a big deal and Such a little thing interchangeably?
Not always. Not a big deal and Such a little thing are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.