small stuff

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. small cordage, as marlines, yarns, etc.

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small stuff British  

noun

1. nautical any light twine or yarn used aboard ship for serving lines, etc

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Etymology

Origin of small stuff

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

small stuff

That has taught him "not to sweat the small stuff".

From BBC ● Mar. 22, 2026

We want to chase “these big things,” as he described them, but sometimes it’s the small stuff we encounter along the way that counts the most.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 31, 2025

The small stuff has made a major difference at USC, where Marks is on pace to finish with the most carries in a season of any running back in Lincoln Riley’s head coaching career.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024

Try as hard as you can not to sweat the small stuff, because it just doesn’t matter.

From Slate ● Apr. 4, 2024

“Let’s help Mom get on track with small stuff first,” Dad says.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan