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

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

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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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

If I was a lady wi' a bit o' money!--why, I know one as put thirty pounds into them goods,--a lady wi' a cork leg, but as sharp,--you wouldn't catch her runnin' her head into a sack; she'd see her way clear out o' anything afore she'd be in a hurry to start.

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And so I wish you good-bye, Master Marner; and if you ever feel anyways bad in your inside, as you can't fend for yourself, I'll come and clean up for you, and get you a bit o' victual, and willing.

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The Oakland Athletics got a bit of good news recently, revealing that starting pitcher Sean Manaea could be playing in the 2019 MLB season after all.

Sean Manaea May Rejoin Oakland Athletics By 2019 Midseason

In a statement read to the panel, Vaughan Williams said Mildenhall was "putting on a bit of an act to get a reaction to get to crisis point procedure."

Teacher accused of dragging autistic child out of classroom

Colon pitched a bit in 2008, got hurt somehow and was let go at the end of the season.

A rooting interest; A's present worst threat to Red Sox

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

He doesn't dial things back in batting practice, either, so the team is working with him on pacing himself a bit more when hitting before games: doing a few rounds of situational hitting, say, rather than just blasting balls over the wall.

Ready for an encore

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

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