Meaning of the word "better a small fish than an empty dish" in English

What does "better a small fish than an empty dish" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

better a small fish than an empty dish

US /ˈbet̬.ɚ ə smɑːl fɪʃ ðæn ən ˈemp.ti dɪʃ/
UK /ˈbet.ər ə smɔːl fɪʃ ðæn ən ˈemp.ti dɪʃ/
"better a small fish than an empty dish" picture

Idiom

it is better to have something small or modest than to have nothing at all

Example:
The salary isn't great, but better a small fish than an empty dish.
I only won ten dollars, but better a small fish than an empty dish.