a bit

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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!

not a bit

Not at all or in any way. We are not a bit concerned about the impact it may have on our profits this year. A: "Do you mind if I tag along this afternoon?" B: "Not a bit!"

a bit

1. A small amount of anything; also, a short period of time. For example, Here's a bit of wrapping paper, or It'll be ready in a bit, or Just wait a bit. [c. 1600]

2. Somewhat or rather, as in It stings a bit, or Will you have a bit more to eat? [Second half of 1600s] Also see bit by bit; not a bit.

See also: bit

References in classic literature ?

Here's a bit o' net, then, for you to look at before I tie up my pack, just for you to see what my trade's come to,--spotted and sprigged, you see, beautiful but yallow,--'s been lyin' by an' got the wrong color.

Lors, it's a fine thing for anybody as has got a bit o' money; these Laceham goods

View in context

Harris and Jackson Bird had been recovering from Achilles and back injuries and were under careful management plan but with the Australia A's final tour game have emerged unscathed although a bit sore.

Harris rearing to go in Ashes following comeback from injury

Macht does a fine job describing why the A's leader felt he could still win, despite the loss of greats like second baseman Eddie Collins, pitchers Chief Bender and Eddie Plank, and, a bit later, disgruntled third baseman Frank "Home Run" Baker.

Connie Mack: The Turbulent and Triumphant Years, 1915 -1931

And while it might be a bit too languid and bogged down in baseball stats and tactics at times, you can't take your eyes off his character who starts to win, despite the odds.

Boss Brad on winning run

Sometimes, though, sticky sitches might get you a bit flustered and second-guessing yourself.

Are you the real you? Do you mold yourself to fit in--or do you so not give a hoo-ha about what people think of you?

However, the experiment convinced him that they could handle grammar a bit beyond the basic stringing together of sounds.

Grammar's for the birds: human-only language rule? Tell starlings

A bit of foreshadowing started things: Dellucci led off the Rangers' first inning with a home run.

ANGELS FRIED AND BATTERED PITCHERS TAKE A POUNDING IN LOSS TEXAS 18, ANGELS 5

Their latest work continues to mine the one-on-one dynamic (homosocial rather than homosexual) but branches out a bit, exploring not just male behavior but what might be described as a masculine aesthetic.

Type A: Ten in One Gallery. (Reviews: New York)

Looking at the short-selling community, we find a bit of complacency.

Schaeffer's Street Chatter Highlights the Following Stocks: Agilent Technologies, E*TRADE Financial, and Research in Motion Limited