a bit

a bit  {n.},  {informal}

A small amount; some.

There's no sugar in the sugar bowl, but you may find a bit in the bag.

If the ball had hit the window a bit harder, it would have broken it.

- Often used like an adverb.

This sweater scratches a bit.

- Also used like an adjective before "less", "more".

Janet thought she could lose weight by eating a bit less.

"Have some more cake?" "Thanks. A bit more won't hurt me." — Often used adverbially after verbs in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences, sometimes in the form "one bit".

"Won't your father be angry?" "No, he won't care a bit."

Helen feels like crying, but I'll be surprised if she shows it one bit.

- Sometimes used with "little" for emphasis, also in the emphatic form "the least bit".

"Wasn't Bob even a little bit sorry he forgot his date?" "No, Bob wasn't the least bit sorry."

Syn.: A LITTLE.

Compare: A FEW.

Contrast: A LOT.