ENGLISH
REFERENCE

small wonder

idiom
Meaning

An event or fact whose cause or rationale is not difficult to discern; an unsurprising occurrence.


Examples
SIMPLE

It is small wonder that you are tired after working all night.

CONTEXTUAL

Given how little he practiced for the exam, it was small wonder that he did not pass.

COMPLEX

Considering the lack of maintenance on the old building, it was small wonder that the roof finally collapsed during the heavy storm.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    big fish in a small pond

    One who has achieved a high rank or is highly esteemed, but only in a small, relatively unimportant, or little known location or organization.

  2. 02

    gutless wonder

    One who lacks guts or courage; a coward.

  3. 03

    in no small measure

    To a very great extent.

  4. 04

    in no small part

    Synonym of in no small measure.

  5. 05

    nine-day wonder

    Something that generates interest for a limited time and is then abandoned.

  6. 06

    no-hit wonder

    A recording artist who proves to be commercially successful, or maintains a long career, without having any hit songs at all.

  7. 07

    one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind

    (used imitatively) A cliché used to exaggerate an accomplishment or milestone.

  8. 08

    one-hit wonder

    A recording artist known for only one hit song, especially after failing at subsequent attempts at success.

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