a few

Idioms and Phrases

A small number of persons or things. This phrase can differ slightly from few used alone, which means “not many.” For example, The party was to end at eight, but a few stayed on indicates that a small number of guests remained, whereas The party began at eight, and few attended means that hardly any guests came. [Late 1200s] Also see quite a bit (few) .

Example Sentences

Her team decided to try low-dose sodium oxybate, after some patients told them their symptoms improved after a few alcoholic drinks.

From BBC

The crisis facing Scotland's prisons evidently extends well beyond a few hundred foreign inmates.

From BBC

However, there are only a few discrete options for the quantum spin on a particle -- for example, up and down.

From Science Daily

Small camps, usually consisting of 25-35 individuals living in homes a few feet from each other, create an environment where children can observe and interact with a wide range of people.

From Science Daily

However, pedigrees are recorded manually, and they may go back only a few generations.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• individual
• numerous
• particular
• precise
• special
• specific
• specified
• various