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10 Times Idioms Were Used Incorrectly In Famous SituationsWhen idioms are misused, quite a bit can be lost in translation, leaving the audience scratching their heads (we've done a slideshow on that too!). A gaffe between friends is one thing, but what about when the whole world is listening? Pretty embarrassing ... or learning moment? Either way, here are 10 times idioms were used incorrectly in famous situations.
Nearby words
Idioms
Origin of bit
2before 1000; Middle English bite, Old English bita bit, morsel; cognate with German Bissen, Old Norse biti. See bite
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for quite a bit (1 of 4)
bit
1/ (bɪt) /
noun
Word Origin for bit
Old English bite action of biting; see bite
British Dictionary definitions for quite a bit (2 of 4)
bit
2/ (bɪt) /
noun
verb bits, bitting or bitted (tr)
to put a bit in the mouth of (a horse)
to restrain; curb
Word Origin for bit
Old English bita; related to Old English bītan to bite
British Dictionary definitions for quite a bit (3 of 4)
British Dictionary definitions for quite a bit (4 of 4)
bit
4/ (bɪt) /
noun maths computing
a single digit of binary notation, represented either by 0 or by 1
the smallest unit of information, indicating the presence or absence of a single feature
a unit of capacity of a computer, consisting of an element of its physical structure capable of being in either of two states, such as a switch with on and off positions, or a microscopic magnet capable of alignment in two directions
Word Origin for bit
C20: from abbreviation of binary digit
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Science definitions for quite a bit
bit
[ bĭt ]
The smallest unit of computer memory. A bit holds one of two possible values, either of the binary digits 0 or 1. The term comes from the phrase binary digit. See Note at byte.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Culture definitions for quite a bit
bit
The smallest unit of information. One bit corresponds to a “yes” or “no.” Some examples of a bit of information: whether a light is on or off, whether a switch (like a transistor) is on or off, whether a grain of magnetized iron points up or down.
Note
The information in a digital computer is stored in the form of bits.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Idioms and Phrases with quite a bit (1 of 2)
quite a bit
Also, quite a few; quite a lot. A considerable or moderate amount, as in There's still quite a bit of snow on the ground, or Quite a few parking spaces are open. [Second half of 1800s]
Idioms and Phrases with quite a bit (2 of 2)
bit
In addition to the idiom beginning with bit
- bit by bit
- bite off more than one can chew
- bite one's nails
- bite one's tongue
- bite someone's head off
- bite the bullet
- bite the dust
- bite the hand that feeds you
also see:
- a bit
- champ at the bit
- do one's bit
- every bit
- not a bit
- quite a bit
- take the bit in one's mouth
- two bits
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.