little old

little-old

A modifier used to make someone or something seem harmless, unimportant, or inconsequential. You think little-old me could have stolen your money? Why, don't be absurd! A: "We'd prefer if Tommy didn't have any sugar." B: "Not even a little-old piece of cake? It's a birthday party, for crying out loud!"
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

little old someone or something

ordinary; harmless. (Said to downplay or minimize the importance of something.) Aw, honey, I wasn't gambling. I just went to one little old poker game. Charlie: Did you eat that whole chocolate cake that I was saving for the party? Jane: Little old me?
See also: little, old
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • little-old
  • BTS
  • once in a lifetime
  • in all (one's) (born) days
  • in all my born days
  • in all one's born days
  • long hair, don't care
  • go and (do something)
  • go and do something
  • he, she, etc. has gone/been and done something
References in classic literature
But the little old woman walked up to Dorothy, made a low bow and said, in a sweet voice:
'Talk of your German universities,' said the little old man.
For this new edition adds to the original merits of the work the very substantial charm of abundant illustrations, first-rate in subject and execution, and of three kinds--copper-plate likenesses of actors and other personages connected with theatrical history; a series of delicate, picturesque, highly detailed woodcuts of theatrical topography, chiefly the little old theatres; and, by way of tail-pieces to the chapters, a second series of woodcuts of a vigour and reality of information, within very limited compass, which make one think of Callot and the German [76] "little masters," depicting Garrick and other famous actors in their favourite scenes.
His thoughts reverting from this occupation to the little old gentleman who had given him the shilling, he suddenly recollected that that was the very day--nay, nearly the very hour--at which the little old gentleman had said he should be at the Notary's house again.
As I approached it I saw that it was the dead and mummified remains of a little old woman with long black hair, and the thing it leaned over was a small charcoal burner upon which rested a round copper vessel containing a small quantity of greenish powder.
He is an exceedingly puffy little old gentleman, with big circular eyes and a huge double chin.
At the words, the door opened and a dapper little old man came in.
When the little boy was about six years of age a strange man came to their attic home to visit the little old woman.
The little old lady's hearing was remarkably quick.
The little old priest in his ecclesiastical cap, with his long silvery-gray locks of hair parted behind his ears, was fumbling with something at the lectern, putting out his little old hands from under the heavy silver vestment with the gold cross on the back of it.
"My little old man and I fell out, How shall we bring this matter about?
The little old grey man met him likewise, and asked him for a piece of cake and a drink of wine.
"Changee for changee!" Kwaque queried back, taking for granted that it was an offer to exchange and wondering whether the little old cook had become enamoured of his precious jews' harp.
This was an amazing little old woman, with a face like a staring wooden doll too cheap for expression, and a stiff yellow wig perched unevenly on the top of her head, as if the child who owned the doll had driven a tack through it anywhere, so that it only got fastened on.
She looked around as much as to say, "Are you all like this?" And two little old ladies, who were sitting further up the table, with shawls hanging over the backs of the chairs, looked back, clearly indicating "We are not; we are genteel."