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Mere Mortal

What Does "Mere Mortal" Mean?

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"Mere mortal" is an English idiom. It means "an ordinary person, especially when compared to someone who is considered superior in some way."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "mere mortal" used in a sentence:
  • I'm a mere mortal compared to the genius of Mozart.
  • We can't expect him to accomplish this so quickly, he's just a mere mortal.
  • The athletes at the Olympics make us all feel like mere mortals in comparison.
meaning for mere mortal

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Mere Mortal" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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