a little bit

Meaning

This phrase means a small amount or to a small degree. It is often used to soften statements or to describe feelings like being tired or worried without sounding too dramatic. It can modify adjectives, verbs, or stand alone.

Examples

• I'm a little bit tired after that long walk.

  I'm a little bit tired after that long walk.

• Could you turn the music down a little bit?

  Could you turn the music down a little bit?

• I speak a little bit of Spanish, but not much.

  I speak a little bit of Spanish, but not much.

• This soup is a little bit too salty for me.

  This soup is a little bit too salty for me.

• Let's wait a little bit longer before we order.

  Let's wait a little bit longer before we order.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want a little bit apples.

  ✓ I want a few apples.

  'A little bit' is used with uncountable nouns or adjectives. For countable nouns like 'apples', you must use 'a few' or 'some'.

• ✗ I am little bit hungry.

  ✓ I am a little bit hungry.

  Leaving out the article 'a' is a common error. 'A little bit' is the complete, idiomatic phrase.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I'm ___ nervous about the job interview tomorrow.

  💡 Slightly or a small amount.

  Show answer

  a little bit

• Can you speak ___ louder? I can't hear you.

  💡 A small degree.

  Show answer

  a little bit