small fortune
nounUK /smɔːl ˈfɔːtʃuːn/ · US /smɔl ˈfɔɹtʃən/
Etymology From small + fortune (“one’s wealth; the amount of money one has, especially if it is vast; large amount of money”), suggesting a sizeable sum of money but not all of one’s wealth.
1
Colloquial, Excessive A large amount of money, especially one paid for something.
- Divorcing my wife cost me a small fortune.