bit

a bit

1. A small portion, degree, or amount. It got a bit warm when the sun started shining so I'm not going to need to wear this coat today. I forgot my lunch, can I have a bit of yours? I'm afraid I've caught a bit of a cold.

2. A brief amount of time; a moment. I should be over in five minutes, so I'll see you in a bit! Well, Betty came over for a bit this morning before church. I only stayed a bit, so I didn't get any details about her new job.

See also: bit

bite

1. verb To respond to an invitation or ad, often a dishonest or misleading one. I tried to trick my brother into cleaning my room, but he didn't bite. I can't believe you bought this ridiculous thing. Geez, I guess they knew that, if they put enough ads out there, some sucker would bite. Give it up—there's no offer you could make that would get me to bite on that.

2. verb To be bad or seem ominous. I'm surprised he was nice to you—he usually bites. If the boss hasn't had her coffee yet, look out, because she can bite. My one aunt is always very nice, but the other one tends to bite.

3. verb To steal or take something. Aw man, somebody bit my notes, so I couldn't study at lunch. Did someone bite my bike? I swear, I only left it outside for five minutes! My dumb sister is always biting my clothes. They vanish from my closet before I've even had a chance to wear them!

4. verb, slang To be annoying or disappointing. Oh, that TV show bites. This season has been so stupid that I just can't watch it. A: "The train's running an hour late? Man, that bites." B: "I know, I won't get home till after 9:00 now." Saturday detention bites. I can't believe I have to spend my whole day here.

5. noun A meal, especially one that is small or is quick to prepare or eat. A shortening of the phrase "a bite to eat." We don't have a lot of time, so let's just grab a quick bite before the movie starts. Let's pull off at the next rest stop to grab a bite. I'm OK, actually—I managed to get a bite at the airport before my flight took off.

not one bit

Not a single, tiny bit; not at all. A: "Are you nervous at all about tonight's fight?" B: "Not one bit. This is what I've been training for." I don't get one bit of gratitude from my children for everything you do to keep them happy and healthy.

See also: bit, not, one

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

bit

1. n. a jail sentence. (Underworld.) Mooshoo did a two-year bit in Sing Sing.

2. n. a small theatrical part. (From bit part.) It was just a bit, but I needed the money.

3. n. any part of an act; any isolated activity or presentation. I didn’t like that bit concerning penalties.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.