Importance & Unimportance: English Vocabulary List

a situation that is not to be ignored or understimated

"This is a matter of life and death."

"The doctor explained that the patient's condition was a matter of life and death."

an urgent need or desire that one feels for something

"There's a crying need."

"In the disaster-stricken region, there is a crying need for food and shelter."

***if something unpleasant or difficult looms large, it seems certain to happen

"Problems loom large now."

"As the final exam approaches, feelings of anxiety and doubt loom large in the minds of many students."

to play a crucial role in causing other things in life to work the way they are supposed to

"Money makes world go around."

"Many people believe that money is the primary force that makes the world go around."

extra details that are added to a plan, idea, etc. that make it more complete or much better

"Add meat to plan."

"The initial proposal was good, but it needed more meat on the bone to be truly compelling."

(of a person) behaving in a manner that is very exciting and attracts others' attention

"He's larger than life."

"The charismatic actor was known for his flamboyant personality and larger than life stage presence."

something that is very common and therefore, not very high on price and value

"Those ideas are a dime a dozen."

"In this city talented singers are a dime a dozen but few become famous stars."

used to refer to something that does not deserve one's attention due to not being important or interesting enough

"This boring movie is for the birds."

"This boring television show is for the birds so let us turn it off and go outside instead."

something that is completely worthless in terms of importance, value, or use

"It's a hill of beans."

"Compared to the global economic crisis, his personal financial troubles seemed like a hill of beans."

a person who is less qualified or important when compared to others in a company or organization

"I'm a little frog."

"Starting his new job at the multinational corporation, he felt like a little frog in a big pond."

various small things that have no importance or value

"I have some odds and ends."

"My drawer is full of odds and ends like old buttons rubber bands and broken pencils that I never use."

someone who is considered as an extra or unwanted person in a situation, especially in presence of a couple

"He felt like a third wheel."

"She always felt like a third wheel when her friends went on dates without inviting her."

something very important and serious that cannot be joked about or underestimated

"This is no laughing matter."

"Climate change is no laughing matter because it threatens the future of our planet and all living things."

anything that is intended to take people's focus away from what is important

"Red herring misleads or distracts."

"The red herring was a suspect introduced late in the story who seemed guilty but was completely innocent."

a person or thing of small importance

"That fine is small potatoes for a big company."

"Compared to our huge company debt the cost of new office chairs is small potatoes for us really."

a very insignificant individual or thing

"She feels like chopped liver when everyone ignores her."

"Why was everyone ignoring her as if she was chopped liver at the meeting?"

something of high priority or special importance

"This is a big deal."

"Winning the championship is a big deal for the entire team and the city."

to be of significant influence or importance and often a cause of worry

"It will loom large."

"The looming threat of global conflict continues to loom large in the minds of international leaders."