a little bit of both

[Gavril]

Does the phrase a little bit of both mean "very little of either", or is it a set phrase meaning "some of both", with no specification of how much "some" is?

 

[Parla]

Please give us context for your question: How and where you've seen or heard it used, or how you propose to use it.

 

[Gavril]

Please give us context for your question: How and where you've seen or heard it used, or how you propose to use it.

a little bit of both should mean "not much of either", if the phrase a little bit is taken literally. In some cases, though, the intended meaning of a little bit of both seems to be "a combination of both", with no specification of how much.

My question is, which is the most normal, accepted meaning: "a small amount of both", or "some (unspecified) amount of both"?

 

[owlman5]

Hello, Gavril. Thanks for the additional context. I understand it to mean "a small amount of both".

 

[panjandrum]

Host: Would you like lemon meringue or sticky toffee pudding?
Panj: Could I have a little bit of both?

I expect my host to serve me with a smaller-than-normal helping of both. I wouldn't be surprised if this was two half-sized portions. But there's a good chance that it will be rather more than that

 

[Parla]

Host: Would you like lemon meringue or sticky toffee pudding?
Panj: Could I have a little bit of both?

I expect my host to serve me with a smaller-than-normal helping of both. I wouldn't be surprised if this was two half-sized portions. But there's a good chance that it will be rather more than that

I think I'd be more likely to ask for "a little of each." I actually can't think of a situation where I'd say "a little of both."

 

[panjandrum]

I think I'd be more likely to ask for "a little of each." I actually can't think of a situation where I'd say "a little of both."

I'm sure I ought to do that too, but in the context I describe I'm having difficulty pulling back from "Both please."