The phrase "poor cousin" refers to someone or something that is considered less important, less successful, or has less value compared to another person or thing. It suggests being in an inferior position or having a lower status. Full definition
The so - called Prodigium appears as the underfunded poor cousin of Hellboy's Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense — complete with a self - motivated monster in charge of hunting monsters — yet so strapped for office space that any visitors or prisoners can clearly see everything their secret organization is up to (which of course they do). (moviecrypt.com)
Despite its reputation as poorer cousin to the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape includes several of the country's greatest adventure destinations, the bulk of the Great Karoo, the Wild Coast, the homelands of the Xhosa people, the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, a... (blog.sa-venues.com)
Kids feeling like poor cousins when richer classmates nip off to Aspen for a spot of skiing during winter break. (housegoeshome.com)