be thankful for small mercies

be thankful for small mercies

To appreciate small or minor benefits, advantages, or opportunities one is afforded, particularly in the midst of an otherwise difficult, frustrating, or unfortunate situation or circumstance. My car's air conditioning stopped working two hours into my cross-country road trip across America. The radio still works, though, so I guess I should be thankful for small mercies. Our son's accident left him without the use of his right eye; we're just thankful for small mercies that he still has the use of his left one.
See also: mercy, small, thankful
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

be thankful (or grateful) for small mercies

be relieved that an unpleasant situation is alleviated by minor advantages.
See also: mercy, small, thankful
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

be grateful/thankful for small ˈmercies

be happy that a bad situation is not even worse: The thieves took the TV and stereo but didn’t take any jewellery, so let’s be thankful for small mercies.
See also: grateful, mercy, small, thankful
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be grateful for small blessings
  • be grateful for small mercies
  • be grateful/thankful for small mercies
  • be thankful for small blessings
  • be thankful for small favors
  • give thanks for small blessings
  • give thanks for small mercies
  • grateful
  • thankful
  • thankful for small blessings
References in periodicals archive
WE should be thankful for small mercies: Footin-mouth Tory Chris "The Jackal" Grayling would not be Home Secretary if, Gord help us, the Nasty Party wins.
Grayling's top failings
HOWEVER distasteful you think Madonna's pursuit of Malawi orphan Mercy might be, at least it's keeping her away from the recording studio - so let's be thankful for small Mercies.
Mad about the girl; RESULT
It appears that, despite baring his antique torso in the recent Swiftcover insurance ads (be thankful for small mercies that "Little Iggy" didn't make one of his regular appearances), the Igster didn't actually have a policy with them.
THE LUST FOR LIES
But Spurs boss Ramos can at least be thankful for small mercies, and Bent's winner may not just have delivered Tottenham their first win of the season: it may kick-start the new order Ramos is fighting to establish.
Football: DARREN SPUR FOR JUANDE; UEFA CUP ALL THE BIG-MATCH ACTION FROM LAST NIGHT'S 1ST RND Tottenham 2 W. Krakow 1
But we should be thankful for small mercies - at least they were talking and progress, however small, can only be a good thing.
IRISH DAILY Mirror COMMENT: Any progress is a success
And while we are all heartily sick of our coastal resorts turning into Vomit-on-Sea, perhaps we should be thankful for small mercies.
TONY PARSONS: NO MORE NOISY PARKAS