Small Number or Amount: English Vocabulary List

an amount that is very small in comparison to what is desired or needed to have a significant effect

"Our donation is a drop in the bucket."

"The small donation was just a drop in the bucket compared to the millions needed for the hospital."

jobs or things that are different in type and small either in size, number, or significance

"I packed all the bits and pieces."

"She packed the last few bits and pieces into her suitcase before zipping it closed and leaving."

used to describe something happening or being available in very small amounts

"People arrived in dribs and drabs."

"The information came in dribs and drabs so it took a long time to understand the whole story."

a score that is equivalent to zero in a match or game

"They got a goose egg."

"Despite their best efforts, the visiting team failed to score any points, ending the game with a goose egg."

having finished one's supply of something very recently

"We are fresh out of milk."

"I am sorry but we are fresh out of milk so you will have to drink your coffee black today."

to be careful to consume or use something in moderation

"Go easy on the salt, please."

"You should go easy with the salt because too much of it is bad for your blood pressure."

the small or insignificant details of something

"I agree with every jot and tittle of the report."

"The perfectionist lawyer paid attention to every jot and tittle of the legal contract."

to lessen the amount of a thing, particularly tasks or money

"We made a dent in our work."

"I tried to make a dent in my homework, but there is still a lot left to finish."

a person or thing that is really challenging or almost impossible to find

"Finding my keys is like finding a needle in a haystack."

"Finding my lost earring in this huge park is like looking for a needle in a haystack."

various small things that have no importance or value

"I have some odds and ends."

"My drawer is full of odds and ends like old buttons rubber bands and broken pencils that I never use."

the smallest amount of something, particularly fuel or money, that is necessary for surviving or functioning

"We lived on the smell of an oily rag."

"We only had the smell of an oily rag left in the tank, so we drove slowly to the nearest gas station."

existing or available in very little quantities

"Good ideas are thin on the ground today."

"Good teachers are thin on the ground so we were lucky to hire such a talented woman."

to have a limited amount or number of something left

"It is down to you now to finish the job."

"It is down to the last few tickets, so you should buy yours quickly before they sell out."

due to the absence or lack of a specific thing

"The plan failed for want of money."

"The project failed for want of funding even though everyone worked very hard on it."

to experience a sudden setback, failure, or decline

"The stock market took a tumble today."

"The old man took a tumble on the icy pavement and broke his wrist."

a distance or amount that is very small or inconsiderable

"We won by a hair's breadth."

"The car missed the pedestrian by a hair breadth and everyone screamed in terror."

not easy to find or restricted in quantity

"Jobs here are scarce as hens' teeth."

"Affordable apartments in this city are as scarce as hens' teeth, so many people struggle to find one."

in limited or small quantities, typically referring to something that should be experienced or consumed in moderation

"I like him, but only in small doses."

"I like my brother in small doses but he can be very annoying if we spend too much time together."

to have a limited amount or number of something left

"Time is down to minutes."

"Unfortunately, our supplies of this rare ingredient are down to the last few grams, so we must ration them carefully."