less than

Idioms  

1. Not at all or hardly at all. For example, He had a less than favorable view of the matter, or She had a less than adequate grasp of the subject. This expression uses less in the sense of “a smaller quantity, number, or extent than is implied,” a usage dating from about a.d. 1000. The same sense appears in less than no time, a hyperbolic term for a very short time (as in Don't worry, he'll be here in less than no time) that dates from about 1800.

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Example Sentences

Mason’s 1902 novel, “The Four Feathers,” which has been adapted for the screen no less than seven times since 1915.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their opponents, meanwhile, sustained less than 500 casualties in all.

From The Wall Street Journal

By the end of 2023, their startup had less than 10 employees.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bureau of Prisons records show that Gentile was released on Wednesday, less than two weeks after he reported to prison.

From BBC

The prime minister insisted there was "no misleading", pointing to downgraded forecasts for economic productivity which he said meant the government had £16bn less than it otherwise would have had.

From BBC