[Idiom] On a smaller scale

[chavy]

What other expressions can I use for "on a smaller scale"?

 

[teechar]

Can you show us the full sentence please?

 

[Lynxear]

"On a smaller scale" is a phrase used in a comparison of one thing or action to another.

For example:

My friend John has a hobby farm where he grows vegetables on a two acre plot of land. I can only grow my vegetables on a smaller scale using my backyard garden.

I suppose I could use the following sentence as an alternative.

My friend John has a hobby farm where he grows vegetables on a two acre plot of land. I use a lesser approach, growing my vegetables in my backyard garden.

The example is much better than the second and more commonly used.


It would be better if you gave us an example of how you would use this phrase.

 

[emsr2d2]

Maybe it's OK in Canadian English but "I use a lesser approach" doesn't work in BrE.

 

[GoesStation]

Only smaller works for my American English ears.

 

[Skrej]

We sometimes refer to smaller operations and setups as '(on a) hobby scale'.

 

[Lynxear]

Well I did say the use of "on a smaller scale" was more commonly used. HOWEVER, The poster has asked for an alternative way of saying the same thing and I gave one. It is not commonly used in Canada but personally in my work as a salesman I have on occasion used "a lesser approach" when considering two alternatives one of which was much cheaper than the other or not as grand in form.

If you others have an alternative to "on a smaller scale", I would love to hear the American or British version.

 

[Lynxear]

I would only use "(on a) hobby scale" if I were referring to a "hobby" in the comparison. However say you were making a business proposal. You have 2 alternatives. One of which is expensive and grand in scale, whereas the second is not as fancy and less expensive but it will do the job. By calling the second one "on a hobby scale" you would not make it an effective choice. You would make it sound cheap and not worth their consideration.

So I would not use such a phrase in a business conversation