Use 'in miniature' to describe something made much smaller but still detailed or functional. The engineer created the bridge in miniature to test its design.
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Exactness Matters
The phrase implies not just small size, but also a faithful reproduction of the original's features. The dollhouse is not just tiny; it's a Victorian mansion in miniature.
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Metaphorical Use
'In miniature' can be used metaphorically to suggest a situation reflects a larger one. Little league baseball is like the major leagues in miniature.