Break it off a bit (popsicle)

[English nerd]

Is the use of "a bit" natural?

You can break it off a bit.

Someone is eating a popsicle, so another person asks for a small bite. So the person who was eating it says this.

And what about:
Why do we cringe when we break off a popsicle a bit?
Thank you

 

[heypresto]

Yes, 'a bit' is natural, but we wouldn't say "You can break it off a bit". We would say "You can break off a bit" Or, more likely "You can break a bit off."

 

[English nerd]

And can "break off" be used with a spoon? (Brick ice cream)

And for popsicle: can "bite off " be ised as well?

 

[heypresto]

And can "break off" be used with a spoon? (Brick ice cream)

No. I'm not entirely sure what I'd say. Maybe 'scoop off'? A complete sentence would help.

And for popsicle: can "bite off " be used as well?

Yes.

 

[English nerd]

For example, you cut off a small slice of ice-cream from an ice-cream brick and is put on a plate. And then a little icream is _____ (broken off/scooped off) at a corner with a spoon.

 

[Barque]

And then a little icream is _____ (broken off/scooped off) at a corner with a spoon.

I'd expect: You can have a bit from here or You can take a little from here.

And what about:
Why do we cringe when we break off a popsicle a bit?

What exactly is your question here?

 

[English nerd]

Same, is the use of "break off" natural.

 

[Barque]

Same, is the use of "break off" naturally

I don't understand what you mean by "Same". Are you asking if "break off" is the natural term to use with a popsicle? Heypresto has answered that already. Are you referring to icecream on a plate? I answered that in my last post.

 

[English nerd]

What exactly is your question here

Why do we cringe when we break off a popsicle a bit?

So I replied to this. ..

Same, is the use of "break off" natural

I was answering your "what do you mean by that" question, not ansking a question. Heypresto had answered that...

 

[Barque]

Why do we cringe when we break off a popsicle a bit?

I'd expect: Why do we cringe when we break a bit off a popsicle?

(But do we?)

 

[English nerd]

(But do we?)

I do.

And "bit off" be used this way in a sentence, right:
You can bite a bit off.

 

[Barque]

Yes, #4 answers that too. In fact this is probably more likely than "Break a bit off" which implies using your fingers.

 

[heypresto]

For example, you cut off a small slice of ice-cream from an ice-cream brick and is put on a plate. And then a little icream is _____ (broken off/scooped off) at a corner with a spoon.

I agree with Barque: : 'And then a little ice cream is taken off . . . '

'Broken off' is definitely wrong in this context.

 

[English nerd]

<Redundant question removed by moderator (Florentia52)>

Yes, #4 answers that too.

I know ,Heypresto answered that but I was asking about, how it can be used in a sentence. So I just asked, beacuse Heyresto suggested "a bit off" sounds more natural, so I wanted to ask if it sounds equally natural with "bite off".
Thank you Barque.
(For answering it)

 

[English nerd]

I agree with Barque: : 'And then a little ice cream is taken off . . . '

'Broken off' is definitely wrong in this contex

And what about "scooped off"?

 

[heypresto]

You could use 'scooped off' if you used a scoop. But you said 'you cut off a small slice of ice-cream', which implies the use of a knife, not a scoop.

 

[English nerd]

Scooping it off after cutting off a slice(and after putting it on a plate or in a bowl. (With a spoon)

The ice-cream is cut-off a brick and later eaten with a spoon after transferring it on a plate or in a bowl. So I mean can "scoop off" be used then?(with a spoon)

 

[heypresto]

This is getting complicated and confusing.

You scoop with a scoop, spoon with a spoon, and cut/slice with a knife.

 

[Barque]

Really?

Really. If I was joking I'd have used a smiley, unless the joke was very obvious (in which case you wouldn't have needed to ask "Really?")

And what about "scooped off"?

You asked about "scooped off" in #5. I thought that by suggesting alternatives, I'd indicated it was not a natural choice in your context.

Have you looked at the definition of "scoop" in the WR dictionary? That can often give you the answers you're looking for.

scoop (verb): to take up or out with or as if with a scoop*:
[~ (+ out/up) + object] She scooped (out) some ice cream.
[~ + object (+ out/up)]scooped some ice cream (out).

*scoop (noun): a utensil made of a small bowl and a handle, for dishing out ice cream, etc.

So what about : "Spoon off"?

No, not in your context.

 

[English nerd]

Ok, so it'll only be "take off" and no "scoop off" or "spoon off". I get it now.

Thank you

 

[Florentia52]

The discussion in this thread has wandered far from the original question, which has received useful answers. Thank you to all who participated. This thread is closed.

Florentia52, moderator