a few bits/every bit/bit by bit/a nice bit/ not the least bit/do my bit

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

1.He took some paper and a few bits of wood and made a fire. (bit = small piece of anything)
2.He ate every bit of his dinner. (every bit = all)
3.He ate all the cake bit by bit.
4.This is a nice bit of architecture. ( )
5.He’s a bit of a snob. (he is something of a snob)
6.She’s not the least bit upset. (she is not at all upset)
7.Wait a bit. ( wait a little)
8.To give somebody a bit of one’s mind. (speak openly)
9.It takes a bit of doing. (it takes an effort)
10.The chinaware goes to bits. (break to pieces)
11.I have to do my bit. (do one's part; make an individual contribution to an overall effort.)
12.He earned a nice bit of money. (a lot of money)

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

[Anglika]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?


3.He ate all the cake bit by bit. [small piece by small piece]
4.This is a nice bit of architecture.[a condescending and unenthusiastic value judgement ]

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

The others are fine.

[Offroad]

Nice question Vil.

I can't see why sentence 3 is not fine. Could you elaborate on it?

According to the Thesaurus, 'bit by bit' means 'in small amounts', 'little by little'. I know it's a term widely used by computer specialists... but...

Many thanks.

[vil]

Hi marciobarbalho,

Thank you for your empathy.

As a fact of matter everything is OK. There was a imperfection in my original post concerning the missing interpretation of the meanings of “bit by bit” and “ a nice bit of architecture” that was mended in due time by Anglika.

Really, in this instance, “bit by bit” means “small piece by small piece” or “ mouthful by mouthful” or “ bite by bite” or “morsel by morsel”.

You know the expression “I haven’t had a morsel of food today”. (a morsel = a bit)

Regards,

V.