slim pickings

Idioms and Phrases

A small amount left after others have taken a share. For example, After each of the children took what they wanted of Mother's things, it was slim pickings for the rest of the family . This expression alludes to animals devouring a carcass. [Early 1600s]

Example Sentences

And the rest of the field is pretty slim pickings, Jeb included.

From The Daily Beast

Tea Partiers looking for a third-party candidate to cast a protest vote are left with slim pickings.

From The Daily Beast

AlbuquerqueThis sleepy southwestern town has Native American folklore and petroglyphs, but slim pickings for social life.

From The Daily Beast

I figured, though, that when I had passed beyond the zone of this gracious hospitality there would be slim pickings.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• absence
• deficiency
• inadequacy
• lack
• paucity
• shortage