(~)
1.
If you describe someone as a ~, you believe that they are powerful or important in some way. (INFORMAL)
The four men arrested were described as really ~ by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
? small fry
N-COUNT
2.
If you say that someone is a ~ in a small pond, you mean that they are powerful or important but only within a small group of people. (INFORMAL)
In South Africa, Jani was a ~ in a small pond.
PHRASE: v-link PHR