A bit of

[masterding]

Does "A bit of" mean a small amount of sth or a large amount sth?
Webster and Oxford have seemingly contrary answers.
Definition by Webster quote:"a small amount or quantity : a little of something "
Example sentence :They understand only a bit of [=a little of] what is going on.
Link Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary
Definition by Oxford quote:" a bit (of something) (informal, especially British English) a large amount"
Example sentence :
The new system will take a bit of getting used to (= it will take a long time to get used to).
Link bit - Definition and pronunciation | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com
So again , does "A bit of" mean a small amount or a large amount?
Thank a lot.

[Barb_D]

It will depend on the context.

[SoothingDave]

I think a "bit" is a small amount. It's use in statement like:

The new system will take a bit of getting used to

seems to me to be understatement.

[masterding]

It will depend on the context .

I don't know what context can I give ,at least I have quoted some example sentences.
Can you give me some examples with context that illustrate how "a bit of" can mean a large amount of sth?Thanks.

[masterding]

I think a "bit" is a small amount. It's use in statement like:



seems to me to be understatement.

But Oxford says it means "it will take a long time to get used to".

[Barb_D]

That would be understatement.

It will take a bit of time, if taken as an understatement, means that it will take a long time.

You can also say this with a literal meaning. It will take a small amount of time.

You need context to know what the speaker/writer intended.

How is the new ordering system?
A: It will take a bit of time getting used to it. Ask me again in 2014. (Understatement. It will take a long time.)
B: It will take a bit of time getting used to it, but I think we'll be fully on board by the first of the year. (Literal. It will take a small amount of time.)

You cannot know, if you just see the sentence in isolation, what is meant.

[masterding]

If you just say "It will take a long time to get used to.", I don't think we need any context to know the meaning.
Let me rephrase your example:
A:How is the new ordering system?
B: It will take a bit of time getting used to it.
Does it mean long time or short time ,or we need more informations(context) to decide?

[Barb_D]

If you just say "It will take a long time to get used to.", I don't think we need any context to know the meaning. Okay, but both of my sentences used "a little bit" not "a long time."

Let me rephrase your example: Repeating my sentences is not rephrasing my sentences
A:How is the new ordering system?
B: It will take a bit of time getting used to it.
Does it mean long time or short time ,or we need more informations(context) to decide? How much more clearly can I say this? YES, YOU NEED CONTEXT!

.

[5jj]

How much more clearly can I say this? YES, YOU NEED CONTEXT!.

So, if I understand you correctly, we need context, then?

[Barb_D]

No, 5jj. *YOU* need cnotxet. The rest of us need context.