slim pickings
Few choices available
Slim pickings describes a situation where choices or available options are scarce or unsatisfying: Job openings were slim pickings after the layoffs.
The phrase suggests you'll have to settle for less than ideal because there isn't much to choose from.
It was slim pickings at the buffet by the time we arrived.
- meagerDeficient in quantity
- scantBarely adequate amount
- thin on the groundIn short supply
- pocket changeMinor cash on hand
- dearthAcute shortage of something
shortage · hard to come by · scarce · few and far between · leftovers · deficit · insufficiency · bare bones · crumbs · dregs · bottom of the barrel · last resort · chances · openings · negligible · prospects · shoestring · drought
- scarcityscarcity, scarce, shortage, scant, scanty
- Running Lowrunning low, in short supply, running out, dried up, at a premium
- tiny amountsbit, drop, hint, dash, dot
slim pickingsabundance
Ample supply, overflowing
plenty · bounty · embarrassment of riches · cornucopia · plethora
slim pickingscream of the crop
The very best
pick of the litter · gold mine · jackpot · best of the best · feast
pick, slim, picky, picking, picked, picks, picker, pickings, slimmer