It is a small world.
(What is the meaning of this sentence? When do we use this expression? And what does "It" refer to? What is the meaning/use of "It"?)
The word "it" loosely refers to the world. It's used as an introductory word.
We say it's a small world when we meet someone who lives near us far from home. It's also used when we discover that an acquaintance has the same friend or relative as we do.
The sentence "It is a small world" is a popular expression that means the world can feel small or interconnected sometimes, especially when unexpected connections or coincidences occur. We use this expression to convey the idea that despite the vastness of the planet, people often come across familiar faces, shared experiences, or connections in unexpected places.
In this context, the pronoun "It" is used as a placeholder, referring to the interconnectedness or the world itself. It doesn't have a specific referent here but rather represents the general notion of the world being small.
The phrase is commonly used in conversations or observations when encountering surprising coincidences, realizing shared connections, or encountering someone unexpectedly in an unexpected location. It serves as a reminder that despite our differences and distances, our lives and experiences can intersect in unpredictable ways.