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

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 job is to reassure reluctant members, at each procedural juncture where their votes are needed, not to sweat the small stuff and that things will be fixed down the line.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 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

She lived in her own room, learned to sneak around, learned how to carry small stuff between her arms and her rib cage.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements