a bit
Idioms-
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]
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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 .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A bit of an unfair question, as jury member Ewa Puszczyńska noted, but an unsurprisingly unfair one given the culture we live in.
From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026
A bit of seesawing is likely in the short term.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026
"It was quite quiet and peaceful. A bit of laughter, but not too much because it's not the time to laugh now is it?"
From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026
A bit of time travel makes the plot work, but it’s intelligently woven together, cleverly avoiding paradox.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025
A bit of common sense is overdue in public discussions about racial bias in the criminal justice system.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
