1
general::
1. Young children, as in This show is not suitable for small fry. 2. Persons of little importance or influence, as in She wasn't about to invite the Washington small fry to the reception. Both usages allude to fry in the sense of "young or small fish." [Late 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): small fry
1. Lit. newly hatched fish; small, juvenile fish. • The catch was bad today. Nothing but small fry. 2. Fig. unimportant people. • The police have only caught the small fry. The leader of the gang is still free. • You people are just small fry! I want to talk to the boss. 3. Fig. children. • Peter’s taking the small fry to the zoo. • We should take the small fry to the pantomime.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs