little more than
fixed phr..fixed phr.. you use this to say that something is only a small thing and not important or impressive.
fixed phr.. a restrictive phrase used to emphasize that something is merely or only the thing mentioned, often with a dismissive or critical tone.
The new law is little more than a suggestion.
The expensive repair turned out to be little more than a temporary fix for the engine.
Despite the grand promises made during the campaign, the actual policy changes were little more than minor adjustments to existing regulations.
usually followed by a noun or noun phrase that the speaker considers insufficient or disappointing.
this functions as a more formal or emphatic synonym for 'only' or 'just'; it is often used to express disappointment or to downplay the significance of something.
it was a little more than a jokeit was little more than a jokeusing 'a' before 'little' changes the meaning to 'slightly more', whereas 'little more than' means 'only'.