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bit

bit

58 4.6
A short often funny part of a show
  • noun
  • /bɪt/
translation icon : número
  • I've done quite a bit of light comedy in my younger years.

Arguably even worse than the Will Smith bit is afterwards.

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Examples

  • We've got a horse race," said David Gergen in a bit of post-debate analysis.

    Blog text (4)
  • They would do a tour and tape the bit the best way it came out.

  • Yeah, this is the first bit of entertainment Josh has put on for us.

  • One of my favorite bits, yes.

  • So these are just some of the bits that we have.

  • Do you remember what bits you did for it?

  • I loved that "humble country lawyer" bit.

  • Yes, this is a little looped bit of a film.

  • Once I ate with Paula Cooper, who recounted a long, complicated bit of professional gossip.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The comedian performed a hilarious bit about his family's holiday traditions.

Synonyms

act
vsbit
387 1.8

A short performance by an entertainer or group in a show

is narrower focusing on short entertainment parts rather than other segments
spot
vsbit
192 3.7

A short part of a show where someone performs

is the live show piece rather than a broadcast or ad slot
number
vsbit
154 6.5

A short song or act performed in a show

is the general term for any short entertainment piece not only music
routine
vsbit
92 3.2

A short act in a show to entertain people

is any brief segment, not always a rehearsed sequence
skit
vsbit
40 3.5

A short funny play by a small group of people

is a broader short entertainment piece not limited to humour
turn
vsbit
35 5.4

A short performance by one person in a show

is used for parts of any show not only variety programs

Idioms

1.0

To a small degree or amount

quite a bit
  • Informal
235 2.8

A fairly large amount

71 3.4

Shows that something is at the same level as something else

51 3.7

There is not even a small amount

45 2.0

All of something, including very small parts

39 2.4

A little similar to something you know

bit by bit
  • Informal
12 2.7

A little at a time

3 7.9

Very eager and unable to wait to start something

a bit sketchy
  • Informal
1 8.6

A little suspicious and not easy to trust

bit of a weirdo
  • Offensive
1 8.6

A person who acts a little strange or different

1 9.5

An uncertain situation whose result depends on chance

1 6.8

To try too hard to make others agree or do something

Small things you do or give are important because they add up

9.9

A horse that holds its head back and ignores the rider's hands

Happens slowly, a little at a time

8.5

A little strange in a kind, harmless way

a bit hacky
  • Informal
9.1

A slightly unprofessional quick solution made to work for now

a bit hokey
  • Informal
8.4

A little silly and too sentimental, feeling fake

a bit loony
  • Offensive
8.9

A little strange and silly

9.9

People call someone a little feminine to show disapproval

9.9

Slightly too focused on numbers and data, making it hard to follow

Slightly more expensive than it should be for what you get

a bit scorpy
  • Informal
9.9

Being a little angry and easily annoyed with people

a bit salty
  • Slang
8.8

Slightly rude or sarcastic in what someone says

9.2

Often changes mood or behavior quickly and without warning

a bit sus
  • Slang
9.9

Slightly suspicious and not completely trustworthy

9.9

A little strange in a harmless, friendly way

A small, disappointing thing that does not help enough

To be a little sad and tired

9.9

Being confused and worried about what to do

not a bit of it
  • Informal
8.1

Not true at all

A joking idea that deleted digital files are gone forever

A person who is very calm and not easily upset, even in a dangerous situation

Compounds

1.0

A small amount of something

drill bit
  • Specialized
11 3.7

A metal tool that makes holes in hard materials like rock or wood when attached to a drill

5 4.1

A small acting role with few lines in a film or TV show

4 6.5

A person who has a small role in a film or play

bit rate
  • Specialized
1 4.1

The number of bits sent or processed each second in audio and video files

1 4.6

Slightly unclear and hard to see or remember

two-bit crook
  • Offensive
1 7.9

A person who steals or tricks people in small, unimportant ways

bit bucket
  • Jargon
8.9

An imaginary place where lost or deleted computer data goes

9.9

Slightly odd in a way that mixes different styles or ideas

bit cissy
  • Slur
9.9

A little too gentle in style or behavior, often used to tease someone

bit field
  • Specialized
6.2

A place in computer memory that holds several on and off values for settings

bit of a thembo
  • Offensive
9.9

An attractive man who is not very smart

blade bit
  • Specialized
7.5

A drill part with hard cutting edges that makes holes in wood or metal

bore bit
  • Specialized
8.1

A tool for a drill that cuts into rock or other hard material

brace and bit
  • Archaic
8.4

A hand tool that you turn to make holes in wood with a drill bit

center bit
  • Specialized
7.5

A small tool with a sharp point that guides a drill to make straight holes in wood

chamfer bit
  • Specialized
9.3

A small tool part for a drill or router that makes a sloped edge on materials

check bit
  • Specialized
6.9

An extra binary digit added to data to find errors in transmission or storage

countersink bit
  • Specialized
8.6

A drill bit that makes the top of a hole wider so a screw head sits flat with the surface

core bit
  • Specialized
7.8

A hollow cutting cylinder used in a drill to remove a sample of rock or concrete

cross bit
  • Specialized
8.9

A drill tool with cutting edges in the shape of a cross for drilling hard rock

curb bit
  • Specialized
9.0

A metal piece in a horse's mouth with a chin chain to help control the horse

drilling bit
  • Specialized
4.4

A tool fixed to a machine that cuts rock and earth to make a hole for oil

a bit ouchy
  • Informal
9.9

Hurts a little, for example after a small scrape

bar bit
  • Specialized
9.2

A solid metal bar that sits in a horse's mouth to help the rider control the horse

expansive bit
  • Specialized
9.2

A part for a drill that makes holes of different sizes

expansion bit
  • Specialized
8.6

A drill bit with an adjustable blade for making holes of different sizes

fishtail bit
  • Specialized
9.9

A cutting tool that attaches to a drill to make holes in rock or soil

frog's-bit family
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of small water plants with floating leaves in ponds and marshes

9.5

A small water plant with round floating leaves and white flowers that lives in calm water

9.5

A short part of a film, book, or joke that is slightly rude

rock bit
  • Specialized
7.3

A drill part with hard rollers that cut through rock

roller bit
  • Specialized
8.4

A drill part with hard turning wheels that cut through rock

parity bit
  • Specialized
6.2

A small extra binary digit added so the total number of 1s is even or odd to find errors

pilot bit
  • Specialized
7.0

A small drill tool that makes a first hole to guide a larger drill

snaffle bit
  • Specialized
8.3

A metal piece put in a horse's mouth to help a rider control it

spade bit
  • Specialized
7.3

A flat drill bit with a pointed center and two sharp sides for making large holes in wood

twist bit
  • Specialized
5.5

A drill part with spiral grooves that cuts holes in wood or metal

How Long

act
387 1.8
routine
92 3.2
skit
40 3.5
bit
58 4.6
gag
70 3.7

Surface Forms

bit singular
bits plural

Etymology

Bit for a short act comes from the idea of a small 'piece' of a show, like a short part or joke. So, a bit is a short performance within a longer program.