bit of a delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bit of a delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor or slight postponement in a schedule or timeline. Example: "We experienced a bit of a delay in the project due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

There's a bit of a delay.

The Guardian - Film

"That caused us quite a bit of a delay," Mr. Reiskin said.

The New York Times

What's so bad with a bit of a delay in knowing an election result, anyway?

The Guardian

The ball ricocheted into the face of home plate umpire Tony Randazzo which caused a bit of a delay.

The New York Times

"There was a bit of a delay between the Code 222 Blue call and the 222 Grey," she said.

The Guardian

No matter what type of file you play, however, there is a bit of a delay between selecting and playing the file.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

There was a bit of a delayed reaction.

The New York Times

So what's a bit more of a delay on the night?

The Guardian - Music

"We're concerned this is a little bit of a hunt to delay the process by whatever means," Smith said.

Los Angeles Times

"We agreed everything with Dave quite a long time ago but it's just been a bit of delay in a couple of contract details.

BBC

Though held back a bit by a delay to the opening of Doha's new airport, Qatar Airways is poised for rapid growth.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bit of a delay" to acknowledge a minor setback without exaggerating the issue. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing a balanced tone.

Common error

While useful, avoid overuse. Excessive repetition can weaken your writing. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "slight delay" or "minor setback" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bit of a delay" functions as a noun phrase that describes a situation involving a slight postponement or interruption. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. It is often used to soften the impact of bad news or to downplay the severity of a setback.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Tech

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bit of a delay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a minor postponement or interruption. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's most common in News & Media and Tech contexts. While generally acceptable, it's best to use more formal alternatives like "slight delay" in technical writing. Remember that overusing any phrase can weaken your message, so diversify your language by employing related phrases such as "minor setback" to improve the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight delay

Replaces "bit of a" with "slight", emphasizing the minor nature of the delay.

minor delay

Similar to "slight delay", "minor" directly indicates the small scale of the delay.

short delay

Focuses on the duration of the delay, indicating it's brief.

brief pause

Shifts from "delay" to "pause", suggesting a temporary interruption.

temporary setback

Replaces "delay" with "setback", framing it as a temporary obstacle.

slight holdup

Uses "holdup" as a synonym for delay, implying a temporary obstruction.

minor hiccup

Employs "hiccup" to suggest a small and unexpected disruption.

brief interruption

Similar to "brief pause", highlights the temporary nature of the disruption.

small postponement

More formal alternative, using "postponement" to indicate a rescheduling.

a touch of lateness

Indirectly implies a delay by referring to a slight tardiness.

FAQs

What does "bit of a delay" mean?

The phrase "bit of a delay" refers to a slight or minor postponement, setback, or interruption in a schedule, process, or event. It implies that the delay is not significant or long-lasting.

What can I say instead of "bit of a delay"?

You can use alternatives like "slight delay", "minor delay", "short delay", or "temporary setback" depending on the context.

Is "bit of a delay" formal or informal?

"Bit of a delay" is generally considered informal but acceptable in most contexts, including professional communication. For more formal situations, consider using "slight delay" or "minor postponement".

How do I use "bit of a delay" in a sentence?

You can use "bit of a delay" to explain the reasons in sentences like: "We experienced a bit of a delay due to unforeseen circumstances", "There might be a bit of a delay in the delivery", or "The project is facing a bit of a delay because of permit issues".