a little bitterness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little bitterness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount of resentment or harshness in a situation or feeling. Example: "After the argument, there was a little bitterness lingering between them, making it hard to reconcile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

A little bitterness doesn't hurt".

The New York Times - Books

Hops lend stout a floral aroma and a little bitterness.

The New York Times - Food

"If I sit and think about it, there's a little bitterness, more than a little bitterness," the Olympic goalkeeper Hope Solo told the Associated Press.

The New York Times

"I got a little bitterness towards them because it took this long.

The Guardian

But a little bitterness can be desirable, so don't shrink back at the sound of the word.

The New York Times - Food

It's a terrific book, because it is descriptive of social history — the Beats, the Five Spot jazz scene, etc. — without using those events to sneak in a little bitterness.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

They met at the Oxfordshire home of Lucius Cary, the second Viscount Falkland, who on one occasion thanked a Roman Catholic critic for "not mixing gall with your inke; since I have ever thought that there should be as little bitterness in a treatise of controversie, as in a love-letter, and that the contrary way was void both of Christian charity and humane wisdom".

The Guardian - Opinion

There is very little bitterness for a man who took it upon himself to operate wherever he went as a kind of perma-crocked, orgy-making, mafia-seducing Fun Coordinator, a Brazilian Butlins rep with an endless supply of chutzpah.

Vice

You get a little dusty bitterness at the end but, fundamentally, this is all about sickly candied malt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His great contribution lies in the fact that he emerged from 27 years of imprisonment with so little bitterness and was able to make such a great contribution to national reconciliation and to the birth of the new South Africa.

The Guardian

"We started talking and we never quit until he asked me for a divorce," Marianne recalled to Richardson, who reports that she harbors little bitterness and often speaks with great kindness about her former husband.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "a little bitterness" to add nuance to character development in fiction, revealing subtle underlying emotions.

Common error

Avoid using "a little bitterness" when a stronger term like "deep resentment" is more appropriate. Ensure the 'little' accurately reflects the degree of negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little bitterness" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and usable. It describes a small degree of resentment or negativity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Food

10%

Wiki

6.666666666666667%

Less common in

Lifestyle

6.666666666666667%

Opinion

3.3333333333333335%

Books

3.3333333333333335%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little bitterness" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to express a mild degree of resentment or negativity. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, with its usage frequently found in news and media. The phrase conveys a clear message, however care should be taken not to overstate the intensity that "a little bitterness" implies. Consider alternatives like "slight resentment" or "mild acrimony" depending on the desired tone. The phrase, while versatile, maintains a neutral register, avoiding overly formal or informal language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight resentment

Focuses on the feeling of resentment rather than the abstract concept of bitterness, keeping the intensity minimal.

mild acrimony

Replaces "bitterness" with "acrimony", indicating a sharper, but still subdued, level of animosity.

touch of resentment

Uses "touch" to emphasize the small degree of negative feeling, similar to "a little".

hint of animosity

Substitutes "bitterness" with "animosity" and "a little" with "hint", both suggesting a small amount of ill-feeling.

trace of resentment

Emphasizes the subtle presence of resentment, suggesting it's barely noticeable.

small amount of resentment

Directly states a small quantity of resentment, offering a more literal alternative.

undercurrent of resentment

Implies a hidden or underlying feeling of resentment, maintaining a sense of subdued negativity.

faint resentment

Highlights the weak or barely perceptible nature of the resentment.

lingering displeasure

Focuses on the feeling of displeasure that remains after an event, suggesting a mild form of bitterness.

minor dissatisfaction

Replaces "bitterness" with a more general term for unhappiness, indicating a slight level of negativity.

FAQs

How can I express the same meaning as "a little bitterness" with different words?

You can use alternatives like "slight resentment", "mild acrimony", or "touch of resentment" to convey a similar feeling of minor negativity.

Is "a little bitterness" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a little bitterness" might be perceived as too informal for highly formal contexts. Consider using alternatives with a more professional tone, such as "slight resentment" or "mild displeasure".

Can "a little bitterness" be used to describe physical taste?

While "bitterness" itself relates to taste, "a little bitterness" is typically used to describe emotions or feelings, not physical sensations. For taste, use "a slightly bitter taste" or "a hint of bitterness".

What's the difference between "a little bitterness" and "a lot of bitterness"?

"A little bitterness" indicates a small amount of resentment or negativity, while "a lot of bitterness" suggests a significant and potentially overwhelming feeling of resentment. The intensity differs greatly.