slim pickings

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

But for those who poured in to see eight-time Ballon d'Or-winner Messi there were slim pickings, as the tightly marked 38-year-old failed to get a shot on target despite Miami dominating possession.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

The drink lineup was solid, much better than the slim pickings at my $89 beach day in the Dominican Republic a few days earlier.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Before that though, there's been slim pickings for mainstream pop songs that celebrate authentic lesbian relationships.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025

Rough stuff, but it was slim pickings on “Update” this week: Pinkett Smith was the only guest on the news segment.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2023

Probably there are only jellyfish and tiny crabs, but even with those slim pickings we have snorkeled at the tiny beach, always.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart

Related Words

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