bit
bit — verb
1. used as the past form of bite: put teeth into a person, animal, or thing, often
used as the past form of bite: put teeth into a person, animal, or thing, often causing pain or a mark.
The dog bit my shoe when I reached for its ball.
bit + object directly
While opening the bag, Nina bit her lip and laughed.
bit + body part by accident
The farm goose bit Ethan on the hand by the gate.
bit + somebody + on + body part
At lunch, Leo bit the apple again and juice ran down.
The old cat bit when the vet touched its sore paw.
intransitive: bit when + clause
- bit his lip
- bit the apple
- bit Ethan on the hand
- bit my shoe
- nipped
suggests a quick, light bite
- chomped into
more informal and especially common for food
- clamped onto
stresses holding tightly after biting
Grammar Patterns
bit + [object]
bit + somebody + on + body part
bit when + clause
Usage Note
Only the simple-past form. After 'has', 'have', or 'had', use 'bitten' instead.
Common Mistakes
bit — noun
1. one tiny piece from a bigger thing, or a little of a substance like food, paint,
one tiny piece from a bigger thing, or a little of a substance like food, paint, or paper.
Nina tore a bit off the bread and fed the ducks.
a bit of something physical
There is a bit of paint on your sleeve near the cuff.
a bit of + uncountable noun
Grandpa added a bit more salt to the soup at dinner.
a bit more + material noun
Small bits of glass lay under the broken kitchen window.
bits of + plural noun
- a bit of bread
- a bit of paint
- a bit more salt
- bits of glass
- whole
the complete thing, not just one small part
Grammar Patterns
a bit of + noun
bits of + plural noun
Usage Note
Usually followed by 'of' before food, materials, and other nouns. Use the plural 'bits' when talking about several tiny pieces. Distinguish from sense 6 (SOMEWHAT): sense 1 names a thing or amount, while sense 6 only changes degree.
Common Mistakes
2. a short length of time or distance, treated as one small part of a wait, trip, o
a short length of time or distance, treated as one small part of a wait, trip, or activity.
There is still a bit to walk before we reach the lake.
a bit to + verb
The nurse asked us to wait a bit outside the test room.
wait a bit
We walked a bit after lunch and found a quiet beach.
walk a bit
The children played a bit before the school bell rang.
verb + a bit for short duration
- a bit to go
- wait a bit
- walk a bit
- play a bit
- while
used more for time than distance
- short stretch
clear for journeys or periods, but less common in everyday speech
- moment
usually time only, not distance
- long way
a much greater distance or amount of time
Grammar Patterns
a bit to go
wait a bit
walk a bit
Usage Note
Common after verbs of movement, waiting, and activity. Sense 2 behaves like a small measured stretch of time or distance. Distinguish from sense 3 (FOR A WHILE), which appears in the fixed phrase 'for a bit', and from sense 4 (IN A MOMENT), which points forward from now.
3. used in the phrase 'for a bit' to mean for a short period of time.
used in the phrase 'for a bit' to mean for a short period of time.
Let's sit here for a bit and watch the fishing boats.
fixed phrase: for a bit
Mina stayed with her aunt for a bit after the surgery.
stay for a bit
The dog barked for a bit, then slept by the door.
for a bit + activity
After lunch, we rested for a bit under the pine trees.
rest for a bit
- for a bit
- sit for a bit
- stay for a bit
- rest for a bit
- for a while
near-equivalent and slightly more neutral
- briefly
more formal and usually used as an adverb, not in a fixed phrase
- for ages
informal; for a very long time
Grammar Patterns
for a bit
stay for a bit
sit for a bit
Usage Note
This sense is tied to the preposition 'for'. It describes how long something lasts. Distinguish from sense 4 (IN A MOMENT), which means after a short wait from now rather than during a short period.
Common Mistakes
4. used in the phrase 'in a bit' to mean after a brief wait.
used in the phrase 'in a bit' to mean after a brief wait.
I'll call you back in a bit after the meeting ends.
fixed phrase: in a bit
Dinner will be ready in a bit, so wash your hands.
be ready in a bit
The doctor will see Mira in a bit, once this patient leaves.
future event + in a bit
We can open the gifts in a bit when Grandpa arrives.
do something in a bit
- in a bit
- back in a bit
- be ready in a bit
- see you in a bit
- soon
broader and more neutral
- in a moment
often slightly more immediate
- later on
after a longer delay
Grammar Patterns
in a bit
back in a bit
ready in a bit
Usage Note
This sense looks forward from the present moment and is used with future actions. It normally follows 'in'. Distinguish from sense 3 (FOR A WHILE), which describes the length of an activity instead of when it will start.
Common Mistakes
5. a limited amount of something unpleasant, such as trouble or disappointment, sai
a limited amount of something unpleasant, such as trouble or disappointment, said in a way that makes it sound minor.
There was a bit of confusion at the station after the screen froze.
a bit of + negative noun
Losing the tickets caused a bit of trouble on concert night.
a bit of trouble
The cancelled concert brought a bit of disappointment to the fans.
a bit of disappointment
Monday was a bit of a mess after two trains were cancelled.
mild complaint, not a serious crisis
- a bit of confusion
- a bit of trouble
- a bit of disappointment
- a bit of a mess
- help
something useful rather than troublesome
Grammar Patterns
a bit of trouble
a bit of confusion
a bit of a mess
Usage Note
Often used for a limited problem or disappointment rather than a major one. Distinguish from sense 7 (OF A PROBLEM): sense 5 points to a mild, real negative amount, while sense 7 uses the British pattern 'a bit of a ...' to make a quality sound quite strong.
6. to a small but noticeable degree.
to a small but noticeable degree.
This jacket feels a bit tight across the shoulders.
a bit + adjective
Ken spoke a bit more slowly so Grandma could follow.
a bit + comparative adverb
The room looked a bit darker after the heavy clouds came.
a bit + comparative adjective
I am a bit worried about Leo walking home alone tonight.
a bit + feeling adjective
- a bit tight
- a bit worried
- a bit darker
- a bit more slowly
- very
shows a much stronger degree
Grammar Patterns
a bit + adjective
a bit + comparative
a bit + adverb
Usage Note
Very common before adjectives, adverbs, and comparative forms. It often softens a statement, especially with bad news or criticism. Distinguish from sense 5 (MILD NEGATIVE): sense 6 changes the degree of a word like 'cold' or 'slower', while sense 5 names an unpleasant thing or situation.
Common Mistakes
7. used in British English, usually in 'a bit of a + singular noun', to say that so
used in British English, usually in 'a bit of a + singular noun', to say that someone or something seems quite strongly like that thing, often in an unpleasant or difficult way.
The kitchen was a bit of a mess after the twins baked alone.
pattern: a bit of a + singular noun
Missing the last bus was a bit of a disaster for Priya.
By noon, the school meeting was a bit of a battle over lunch rules.
The new boots were a bit of a pain on the hill walk.
informal negative evaluation with a bit of a
Cooking for thirty guests was a bit of a challenge for Owen.
- a bit of a mess
- a bit of a disaster
- a bit of a pain
- a bit of a challenge
- slightly
shows a weaker degree than this emphatic noun pattern
Grammar Patterns
a bit of a + singular noun
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the pattern 'a bit of a + singular noun', especially with problems, surprises, or criticism. Distinguish from sense 6, which simply means 'slightly'.
Common Mistakes
8. in small stages, with each stage adding a little more until a job is finished or
in small stages, with each stage adding a little more until a job is finished or a change is complete.
Bit by bit, Elena saved enough money to repair the roof.
fixed phrase: bit by bit
The snowman melted bit by bit in the weak afternoon sun.
Workers cleared the fallen tree bit by bit after the storm.
Bit by bit, the shy puppy came closer to Noah's hand.
gradual change over time
After three piano lessons, Mei's confidence returned bit by bit.
- bit by bit recover
- bit by bit melt
- bit by bit save
- bit by bit return
- gradually
more neutral and less vivid
- little by little
very close in meaning and tone
- step by step
often stresses ordered stages rather than small amounts
- all at once
shows one sudden change instead of many small stages
Grammar Patterns
bit by bit
Usage Note
This is a fixed phrase. It usually describes slow progress, recovery, or damage happening in stages, not one sudden event.
Common Mistakes
9. used after 'not' to show that there is no amount of a feeling, change, effect, o
used after 'not' to show that there is no amount of a feeling, change, effect, or problem.
Ben wasn't a bit nervous before the school play started.
not a bit + adjective
The soup didn't taste a bit better after we added salt.
Mira was not one bit afraid of the big farm dog.
variant: not one bit + adjective
The old map wasn't a bit useful in the dark forest.
Saoirse didn't mind a bit when Emma borrowed her red pen.
fixed pattern: not mind a bit
- not a bit worried
- not a bit better
- not one bit afraid
- not mind a bit
- not at all
the closest general equivalent
- in no way
more formal
- absolutely not
stronger and often used as a full reply
- quite a bit
shows a large amount, not zero
- very much
shows a strong degree instead of none
Grammar Patterns
not a bit
not one bit + adjective
not mind a bit
Usage Note
Used after 'not', often before an adjective or adverb. Distinguish from sense 10, which means a large amount rather than zero amount.
Common Mistakes
10. a fairly large amount, degree, distance, or length of time.
a fairly large amount, degree, distance, or length of time.
We walked quite a bit before we found the right beach.
fixed phrase: quite a bit
Lena has changed quite a bit since primary school ended.
The price rose quite a bit after the festival began.
Grandpa still reads quite a bit on rainy Sunday afternoons.
Ravi saved quite a bit by buying the tickets early.
save quite a bit
- quite a bit
- a fair bit
- change quite a bit
- take a bit of getting used to
- a lot
more general and common in all varieties
- considerably
more formal and often used before adjectives or changes
- plenty
more conversational and often stands alone
Grammar Patterns
quite a bit
a fair bit
verb + quite a bit
Usage Note
Often appears with 'quite', 'fair', or 'good'. It can describe amount, time, movement, change, or effort, and is stronger than sense 6 'slightly'.
Common Mistakes
11. into many small broken parts after being torn, smashed, chewed, or otherwise bad
into many small broken parts after being torn, smashed, chewed, or otherwise badly damaged.
The puppy chewed the newspaper to bits before sunrise.
damage verb + object + to bits
Falling ice smashed the flower pots to bits on the path.
Dad tore the old receipt to bits and threw it away.
The strong wind blew the paper kite to bits.
A truck ran over the toy train and crushed it to bits.
result phrase after violent damage
- tear to bits
- smash to bits
- chew to bits
- blow to bits
- into pieces
a more neutral result phrase
- apart
can mean separated, but not always into many small parts
- to shreds
especially used for cloth, paper, or soft material
- intact
not broken or damaged into parts
Grammar Patterns
verb + something + to bits
Usage Note
Usually follows a verb of damage such as tear, smash, chew, blow, or crush. Distinguish from sense 12, where 'to bits' shows degree rather than physical pieces.
Common Mistakes
12. used after some verbs to mean to a very great degree, especially with feelings s
used after some verbs to mean to a very great degree, especially with feelings such as love, delight, fear, or boredom.
Aunt May loves her rescue dog to bits.
love + somebody/something + to bits
The thunder scared the children to bits during the picnic.
That long speech bored the class to bits after lunch.
verb + object + to bits for strong effect
The puppet show delighted Nina to bits at the town fair.
That sudden scream frightened the babysitter to bits.
- love to bits
- scare to bits
- bore to bits
- delight to bits
- very much
the nearest neutral equivalent
- enormously
more formal and often used in writing
- deeply
fits feelings such as love or regret, but not all verbs
- slightly
shows only a weak degree
- not at all
shows zero degree instead of a very strong one
Grammar Patterns
verb + somebody/something + to bits
love + somebody/something + to bits
Usage Note
Follows certain feeling verbs such as love, scare, bore, frighten, or delight. Distinguish from sense 11: here nobody is physically broken into pieces.
Common Mistakes
13. the metal bar inside a horse's mouth that works with the reins, helping the ride
the metal bar inside a horse's mouth that works with the reins, helping the rider steer and stop it.
Before the trail ride, Ava checked the bit and tightened the reins.
bit with reins before riding
The old horse shook its head when the cold bit touched its teeth.
Mr. Lee changed the bit after the pony kept pulling hard.
change the bit
Mud covered the bit, so Noah washed it at the stable tap.
- check the bit
- change the bit
- cold bit
- bit and reins
- bridle bit
a fuller horse-riding term for the same metal part
- mouthpiece
a broader word that can also be used for other equipment
Grammar Patterns
check the bit
change the bit
bit and reins
Usage Note
Usually appears with words like 'bridle', 'reins', and 'rider'. It names the metal piece in the horse's mouth, not the whole set of straps on the head.
14. one basic piece of digital data, with only two possible values: 0 and 1.
one basic piece of digital data, with only two possible values: 0 and 1.
This sensor sends one bit for on and one for off.
one bit = two-state value
Eight bits make one byte in most school coding lessons.
8 bits = 1 byte
The quiz app stores each yes-or-no answer as one bit of data.
single bit of data
A scratched disk can flip one bit and ruin the file.
- one bit
- eight bits
- single bit
- bit of data
- binary digit
the formal full name of this computing unit
- data unit
a broader explanatory phrase, not the exact technical label
Grammar Patterns
one bit
eight bits
bit of data
Usage Note
Often appears in technical phrases with numbers, especially '8 bits' and 'single bit'. Most learners meet this sense in explanations of data storage and coding.
Common Mistakes
15. a coin worth only a little money, especially one used as loose change.
a coin worth only a little money, especially one used as loose change.
Grandpa dropped a bit into the tin for the church fund.
drop a bit into a tin
The old shop still took bits for sweets and postcards.
Two rusty bits lay beside the station ticket machine.
plural bits for coins
Nora kept a few bits in her coat pocket for the bus.
- drop a bit into a tin
- take bits
- rusty bits
- a few bits
- small coin
a direct everyday description
- loose change
broader and usually uncountable, referring to small money together
Grammar Patterns
drop a bit into
keep bits in a pocket
take bits for small items
Usage Note
Often appears in the plural when people talk about coins in a pocket, till, or tin. This sense is older or regional, not the normal modern everyday word for coins.
16. in older American use, a sum of 12.5 cents; two bits means twenty-five cents.
in older American use, a sum of 12.5 cents; two bits means twenty-five cents.
My grandfather said the paper once cost two bits.
fixed expression: two bits
In the story, a shave cost a bit at the corner shop.
a bit = 12.5 cents
At the history tour, the guide said one bit meant one eighth of a dollar.
one bit = one eighth of a dollar
At the museum, a sign priced coffee at two bits.
- one bit
- two bits
- cost two bits
- worth a bit
- twelve and a half cents
the modern explanatory wording for one bit
- eighth of a dollar
a more formal historical description
Grammar Patterns
one bit
two bits
cost two bits
Usage Note
Mostly historical or explanatory American use. It appears especially in old prices and in the fixed phrase 'two bits', where the whole phrase means twenty-five cents.
Common Mistakes
17. the end piece of a drill or similar tool that cuts or makes holes.
the end piece of a drill or similar tool that cuts or makes holes.
Dad fitted a new bit before drilling holes in the shelf.
fit a new bit before drilling
This stone can damage the bit on a garden drill.
Leah chose a wider bit to cut a larger hole.
choose a wider bit
The metal bit grew hot after ten minutes of drilling.
- new bit
- wider bit
- metal bit
- change the bit
Grammar Patterns
fit a new bit
wider bit
metal bit
Usage Note
Often short for 'drill bit' and usually follows size or shape words such as 'small', 'wide', or 'sharp'. It names the cutting end, not the whole machine.
Common Mistakes
18. a brief comic scene or repeated joke in a show, film, or stage performance.
a brief comic scene or repeated joke in a show, film, or stage performance.
The crowd laughed hardest at the pirate bit near the end.
bit as a comic scene
Her show opened with a clever bit about airport food.
a bit about + topic
In the film, the hospital bit lasts only thirty seconds on screen.
The actors cut one bit because the joke slowed the play.
cut one bit from a performance
- pirate bit
- bit about airport food
- hospital bit
- cut one bit
Grammar Patterns
a bit about + topic
cut a bit
running bit
Usage Note
Common in talk about comedy and performance. Speakers use it for a short routine, a recurring joke, or one named part of a funny act.
be in bits
idiomTo feel extremely sad or worried about something.
After her dog died, Mia was in bits for weeks.
Why are you in bits? Did something bad happen?
the (whole)… bit
idiomThe typical behavior or ideas associated with a particular group or activity.
I'm tired of the whole studying-all-night bit before exams.
He does the whole friendly neighbor bit, but he's actually quite rude.
bit by bit
idiomSlowly, in small stages or pieces.
Bit by bit, Sara learned to play the piano.
He saved money bit by bit until he could buy a car.
a bit much
idiomMore than is fair, reasonable, or acceptable.
It's a bit much to ask us to work on Sunday.
His constant complaining is getting a bit much.
a bit of a…
idiomUsed before a noun to mean 'rather a' or 'somewhat of a', often for negative things.
We had a bit of a problem with the car this morning.
The meeting turned into a bit of a disaster.
a bit of all right
idiomA person who is considered sexually attractive.
Everyone thinks the new teacher is a bit of all right.
She's a bit of all right, don't you think?
a bit of rough
idiomA person from a lower social class who has a sexual relationship with someone from a higher class.
In the movie, the wealthy woman has a bit of rough.
He was seen as her bit of rough by the gossip magazines.
a bit on the side
idiomA person who is having a sexual relationship with someone who is already married or in a committed relationship.
She found out he had a bit on the side.
Is he your bit on the side?
bits and pieces/bobs
idiomSmall items or objects of various kinds, often of little value.
I need to buy a few bits and pieces at the store.
She packed her bits and bobs into a small bag.
To completely destroy someone or something using explosives or other weapons.
The bomb blew the building to bits.
The army blew the enemy tank to pieces.
champing at the bit
idiomVery eager and impatient to start doing something.
The kids were champing at the bit to open their presents.
Diego is champing at the bit to begin his new job.
do your bit
idiomTo do your fair share of a task or responsibility.
Everyone should do their bit to keep the office clean.
I did my bit by organizing the charity event.
Completely or equally as good, bad, etc. as someone or something else.
This cake is every bit as delicious as the one from the bakery.
He is every bit as talented as his famous sister.
To become very determined and enthusiastic about a task, making it hard to stop until it is finished.
Once she gets the bit between her teeth, she works nonstop.
He got the bit between his teeth and finished the project in one night.
Not at all; in no way.
I'm not a bit tired after the long walk.
She didn't care one bit about the criticism.
not a bit of it!
idiomUsed to emphasize that something expected did not happen at all.
You'd think he'd be sorry, but not a bit of it!
I expected her to be angry, but not a bit of it!
Not any; no amount at all.
He didn't take a blind bit of notice of my warning.
It won't make the blindest bit of difference to the outcome.
Not at all; in no way.
I'm not the least bit interested in that movie.
She wasn't the slightest bit worried about the exam.
to bits
idiomInto very small pieces.
The old vase fell to bits when I touched it.
He took the clock to bits to fix it.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
At noun sense 1, all five words can name a small part of something, but they are not used in the same way. 'Piece' is the broad everyday choice and can be larger or more neutral. 'Bit' is more conversational and usually suggests something smaller or less important: a bit of bread, a bit of paint. 'Fragment' is more formal and often implies something has broken off a whole, as with fragments of glass. 'Scrap' often means a leftover piece with little value, especially paper, cloth, or food. 'Morsel' is mainly for food and sounds slightly literary. So you can tear off a bit of bread, sweep up glass fragments, throw away scraps, and offer a child a small morsel.
Common collocations
Nouns
- bit of bread
- bit of time
- bit of trouble
- bit of luck
Adverbs
- just a bit
- quite a bit
Phrases
- a bit of a
- a bit more
- not a bit
- every bit as ...
- bit by bit
Prepositions
- a bit of
- for a bit
- in a bit
- to bits
Etymology
Most senses of 'bit' go back to the same old Germanic root as 'bite'. Old English had the verb 'bitan' meaning 'to bite' and the related noun 'bita', which meant a piece bitten off or a mouthful. From that concrete idea, English widened 'bit' to mean any small piece, then many small amounts and fixed phrases such as 'a bit', 'for a bit', and 'bit by bit'. Other senses grew by extension: the horse's bit is the piece placed in the mouth, and a drill bit is the part that 'bites' into wood or metal. The computing sense is much newer, created in 20th-century English as a shortened form of 'binary digit'.