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bit1 S1 W1
1
only slightly
a bit
especially British Englisha) slightly or to a small degree [= a little]: Could you turn the TV up a bit? That's a bit odd. 'Are you sorry to be leaving?' 'Yes, I am a bit.'
Could you turn the TV up a bit?That's a bit odd.'Are you sorry to be leaving?' 'Yes, I am a bit.'b) sometimes, but not very often : I used to act a bit when I was younger.
I used to act a bit when I was younger.2 a small amount of a substance or of something that is not a physical object [= a little]Everyone needs a little bit of encouragement. 'Would you like cream in your coffee?' 'Yes please, just a bit.' ➔ see usage note few
amount
a bit
especially British English informal a bit of I may need a bit of help. He still likes to do a bit of gardening. I want to spend a bit of time with him before he goes. With a bit of luck we should have finished by five o'clock.
I may need a bit of help.He still likes to do a bit of gardening.I want to spend a bit of time with him before he goes.With a bit of luck we should have finished by five o'clock.Everyone needs a little bit of encouragement.'Would you like cream in your coffee?' 'Yes please, just a bit.'3 a fairly large amount or to a fairly large degree : She's quite a bit older than you, isn't she? He knows quite a bit about painting.
quite a lot
quite a bit
also a good bit British EnglishShe's quite a bit older than you, isn't she?He knows quite a bit about painting.4 a short period of time or a short distance [= a while]: You'll have to wait a bit. I walked on a bit.
time/distance
a bit
especially British EnglishYou'll have to wait a bit.I walked on a bit.5 used to show that the way you describe something is only true to a limited degree : The news came as a bit of a shock. I felt a bit of a fool. It looks like they left in a bit of a hurry.
a bit of a something
especially British EnglishThe news came as a bit of a shock.I felt a bit of a fool.It looks like they left in a bit of a hurry.6 not at all : Well, you haven't surprised me, not one bit.
not a bit/not one bit
especially British EnglishWell, you haven't surprised me, not one bit.7 used to emphasize that something is equally important, bad etc as something else : Jodi plays every bit as well as the men.
every bit as important/bad/good etc
especially British EnglishJodi plays every bit as well as the men.9 in several small parts or stages : Memorize it a bit at a time.
a/one bit at a time
especially British EnglishMemorize it a bit at a time.10 to be difficult to do, explain etc : The new system took a bit of getting used to.
take a bit of doing/explaining etc
British EnglishThe new system took a bit of getting used to.11 to be unacceptable, impolite, or unfair : It's a bit much when he criticizes us for doing something that he does himself.
be a bit much
British EnglishIt's a bit much when he criticizes us for doing something that he does himself.13 someone's bit on the side is a person they are having a sexual relationship with, even though they already have a wife, husband, or partner - used humorously or to show disapproval : She stayed in the hope that he'd tire of his bit on the side.
bit on the side
British English informalShe stayed in the hope that he'd tire of his bit on the side.14 offensive expressions meaning a young woman, especially one who is sexually attractive
a bit of stuff/fluff/skirt
British English informal not polite15 someone of a lower social class that someone has a sexual relationship with - used humorously
a bit of rough
British English informalWORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
a bit, a bit of Use a bit before an adjective, not before a noun, nor before an adjective+noun • He's a bit shy (NOT a bit shy man). Before a noun or adjective+noun, use a bit of • Let's listen to a bit of music (NOT a bit music). • It was a bit of a strange decision (NOT a bit strange decision). You can also use a bit after the main verb • I cried a bit (NOT a bit cried).
WORD CHOICE: a bit, a bit of Use a bit before an adjective, not before a noun, nor before an adjective+noun • He's a bit shy (NOT a bit shy man). Before a noun or adjective+noun, use a bit of • Let's listen to a bit of music (NOT a bit music). • It was a bit of a strange decision (NOT a bit strange decision). You can also use a bit after the main verb • I cried a bit (NOT a bit cried).
