Definitions

Sorry, no definitions found. Check out and contribute to the discussion of this word!

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word small-beer.

Examples

  • Judging by the reactions of parents and bystanders (as reported in the blog, and in my general although limited experience that touched on police work), the community thinks this kind of small-beer enforcement is very much worthwhile.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Oh, That’s Funny, Because I Happen to Have [Officer Krupke] Right Here 2010

  • Judging by the reactions of parents and bystanders as reported in the blog, and in my general although limited experience that touched on police work, the community thinks this kind of small-beer enforcement is very much worthwhile.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Oh, That’s Funny, Because I Happen to Have [Officer Krupke] Right Here 2010

  • Jesuit Daubenton, confessor to Philip V. of Spain: but this is small-beer after brandy.

    A Philosophical Dictionary 2007

  • Emmy laughed: she called him a naughty man, who wanted to run away in debt, and, in fact, made some jokes suitable to the occasion and the small-beer.

    Vanity Fair 2006

  • Many and many a night, when I was unconscious of her attention, has that good soul pulled my boots off, and seen me laid by my servants snug in bed, and carried off the candle herself; and been the first in the morning, too, to bring me my drink of small-beer.

    The Memoires of Barry Lyndon 2006

  • In the House of Commons what small-beer orators try to pass for strong?

    Roundabout Papers 2006

  • A brisk and honest small-beer will refresh those who do not care for the frothy outpourings of heavier taps.

    Roundabout Papers 2006

  • In consequence of the fetes the house was full of company, the tables in the street were already surrounded by persons smoking and drinking the national small-beer, the public rooms were in a cloud of smoke, and

    Vanity Fair 2006

  • Mr. Warrington should have to sit down in the Temple dinner-ball, and cut at a shoulder of mutton, and drink small-beer out of tin pannikins, by the side of rough students who wore gowns like the parish-clerk.

    The Virginians 2006

  • Madam Esmond, gave half a finger to George whenever his nephew called on him in town, and did not even invite him to partake of the famous family small-beer.

    The Virginians 2006

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.