a little bit delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

"a little bit delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is happening or arriving a few minutes later than expected or scheduled. For example, "The train is a little bit delayed, so I won't be arriving at the station until 6:30."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"She's a little bit delayed with getting the final permits from the state to practice, so this is being done under another practitioner's license," Mr. Cohen said to the judge.

The New York Times

"It's going to be a little bit delayed for the Long Island area, and part of the reasoning for that is that our water temperatures are still in your upper 50's, below normal, because of the cold spring," Mr. Wyllie said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Although the patient will receive such medication, but just a little bit time delay for that.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Leaving a little time buffer does two very important things: allow for a little bit of delay and reduce your blood pressure when the car in front of you starts to slow.

WikiHow

"We saw a little bit of a delay right after the incident," he said, but "the cargo was being handled and released by customs" with near-usual dispatch.

The New York Times

I may call Rod tonight or tomorrow and ask for a little bit of a delay to the meeting, because I don't want to do anything that gets in the way of this very important Supreme Court pick.

The Washington Post

"But I think this is a chance to change the future of open source for the better by producing more open source — even if there's a little bit of time delay".

TechCrunch

EARLIER: Winter is coming... possibly with a little bit of a delay.

Huffington Post

The device understood my command the first time and responded by snapping a picture, although there was a little bit of a delay after I gave it the command.

Huffington Post

"They're not really talking — at least in Congress — about defunding Obamacare, although there's still a little bit of talk about delaying the individual mandate.

The New Yorker

"They're not really talking at least in Congress about defunding Obamacare, although there's still a little bit of talk about delaying the individual mandate.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little bit delayed" when you want to downplay the significance of the delay. It suggests the delay is minor and not a major cause for concern.

Common error

While "a little bit delayed" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "slightly behind schedule" or "running a tad late" for a more polished style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little bit delayed" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates the extent to which something is not on time, as supported by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little bit delayed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a slight lateness or postponement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and general conversation. While acceptable, varying your language with alternatives such as "slightly behind schedule" can improve your writing style. When using "a little bit delayed", remember that it downplays the delay's significance, implying it's a minor matter. By understanding these nuances, you can use the phrase effectively and avoid potential pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly behind schedule

This alternative is a more formal way of saying something is "a little bit delayed", focusing on the schedule aspect.

running a tad late

This phrase is more informal and conversational, implying a small deviation from the expected time.

somewhat postponed

This suggests the delay is due to a deliberate decision to move something to a later time.

marginally late

This is a more formal and precise way of saying something is slightly behind the expected time.

a minor setback

This phrase highlights the delay as a small obstacle or problem encountered.

held up briefly

This indicates a short and temporary interruption causing the delay.

a short holdup

This is a more casual term for a brief interruption or delay.

a touch behind

Implies a marginal lateness.

fractionally deferred

Implies a deferral by a very small amount.

incidentally held back

Describes the delay as an incidental side effect.

FAQs

How can I use "a little bit delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "a little bit delayed" to describe something that is slightly behind schedule. For instance, "The train is "a little bit delayed", so I'll be there in 10 minutes".

What's the difference between "a little bit delayed" and "significantly delayed"?

"A little bit delayed" indicates a minor postponement, while "significantly delayed" implies a more substantial and potentially problematic delay.

Are there more formal alternatives to "a little bit delayed"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "slightly behind schedule" or "marginally late".

Is it appropriate to use "a little bit delayed" in professional settings?

Yes, "a little bit delayed" is acceptable in professional settings, particularly when communicating internally or when the delay is genuinely minor. For external communications or more formal situations, consider alternatives like "slightly behind schedule".