a few flesh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few flesh" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words, as "flesh" is typically uncountable and does not pair with "a few." Example: "I have a few pieces of flesh left from the meal."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jacoby the rationalist allows only cursory glimpses at a few flesh-and-blood examples, including the man she "loved most in the world," who died after battling cancer and Alzheimer's; her mother, who suffers agonizing osteoporotic pain; and her grandmother, who, at 99, lamented having "lived too long".

The New York Times - Books

We hope they're not the only men who hope to see a few more "fleshed out" female characters in film, instead of "female characters with their flesh out," as Tony says.

Huffington Post

Recently Ms. Jamison and a few others fleshed out crucial moments of the dance.

The New York Times - Arts

Yes, they altered details, telescoped a few scenes, fleshed out a minor character into a more significant one, but always with my input and always with a passion for authenticity.

Los Angeles Times

If that's your preference, the university campus is one of the few flesh-and-blood arenas that seems to be holding its own as a place to form lasting attachments.

The New York Times

A year later, he took on his greatest technical challenge in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Robert Zemeckis's fusion of live action and animation, in which Hoskins was one of the film's few flesh-and-blood participants.

The Guardian - Film

By modern standards, the film is scarcely racy at all: a few glimpses of flesh during a muted love scene.

The New York Times

A combination of hip hiking boots and mid-length skirts will reveal just a few inches of flesh at the top of the shin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I imagine it as a tactful, poignant farewell: a 20-minute torrent of expletives, a few hurled knives, flesh wounds too superficial for paramedics to be summoned.

The New York Times - Food

Back then, Washington insisted on a few pounds of flesh, like a wage freeze for Chrysler workers, in exchange for aid.

The New York Times

On one of the machine-gun niches lay an unconscious German officer, wearing two black-and-white medal ribbons; his left leg was torn away, the bone shattered and only a few shreds of flesh and muscle held it on.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical attributes or quantities related to "flesh", ensure you use appropriate determiners like "some", "a small amount of", or "pieces of" for grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "few" directly with "flesh" as "flesh" is generally considered an uncountable noun. Using "few" implies distinct, countable units, which doesn't align with the nature of "flesh".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few flesh" attempts to quantify the noun "flesh", but it's grammatically unconventional. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase doesn't follow standard English grammar rules since "flesh" is typically treated as an uncountable noun. Therefore it can't be used with the determiner "few" which is reserved to countable nouns.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few flesh" is grammatically incorrect in standard English because "flesh" is generally considered an uncountable noun and does not pair well with the determiner "few". Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. To express a small quantity of flesh correctly, consider using phrases like "a small amount of flesh" or "some flesh". While you might encounter "a few flesh" in creative or informal writing, it's best to avoid it in formal contexts. The idiom "a pound of flesh" offers a figurative alternative relating to exacting payment or retribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount of flesh

Replaces "few" with "small amount", providing a grammatically standard alternative for referring to an uncountable noun.

some flesh

Uses "some" as a determiner to indicate an unspecified quantity of flesh, suitable for uncountable nouns.

a bit of flesh

Replaces "few" with "bit", offering a more informal way to denote a small quantity.

a sliver of flesh

Specifies a thin, narrow piece of flesh, adding more descriptive detail.

a fragment of flesh

Denotes a broken or detached piece of flesh, implying a more violent or accidental separation.

a morsel of flesh

Suggests a small, appetizing piece of flesh, often in the context of food or consumption.

a portion of flesh

Indicates a defined amount or serving of flesh, suitable in contexts like butchery or anatomy.

a cut of flesh

Refers to a specific piece of flesh that has been cut or separated, commonly used in cooking or surgery.

a pound of flesh

An idiomatic expression derived from Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", referring to a debt or obligation that is exacted at a great cost.

a sample of flesh

Suggests a small quantity taken for testing or analysis, often in medical or scientific contexts.

FAQs

How can I correctly refer to a small quantity of flesh?

Instead of saying "a few flesh", use phrases like "a small amount of flesh" or "some flesh" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Is it grammatically correct to use "few" with the word "flesh"?

No, it is not generally correct. "Flesh" is typically used as an uncountable noun, so it doesn't pair well with "few", which is used for countable nouns. Use alternatives such as "a little flesh".

What are some idiomatic ways to refer to flesh in a context of exacting payment?

The idiom "a pound of flesh" is a common expression referring to an exacting or harsh demand for repayment. This comes from Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice".

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "a few flesh"?

While grammatically questionable, you might encounter the phrase "a few flesh" in creative writing or informal contexts where strict grammatical rules are relaxed for stylistic effect. However, in formal writing, it's best to use more accurate alternatives such as "some flesh" or "small pieces of flesh".