think little of

USAGE SUMMARY

"think little of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to indicate majorly underestimating the importance of someone or something. For example: "The company's CEO thinks little of the employees' input when making decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Many drivers think little of passing within inches of his uniformed backside.

The New York Times

In 2015, when someone G-chats you to ask, "Watching the llama cam?" you might think little of it.

The New Yorker

Mr. Cuomo may think little of Albany's power players, but he will still have to work with them.

The New York Times

Mr Erdogan is known to think little of the invasion option, making the pragmatic calculation that it would probably fail.

The Guardian

Shandling seemed to think little of his juvenile interrogator, and Gervais has since admitted that the encounter could have gone better.

Independent

But the lopsidedness of it caught analysts by surprise and suggested that Bavarians think little of Mr. Schröder's handling of the German economy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

She thought little of that fanciful notion.

The New York Times

Litvinenko thought little of this episode.

The Guardian

Mr Voscherau thinks little of Mrs Sager or her party.

The Economist

Not trusting his eyes, he thought little of it.

The New Yorker

At the time, Mr Balls thought little of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's actions, use this expression to show dismissive or negligent behaviors.

Common error

Avoid using "think little of" when you simply mean to disagree or dislike. This phrase implies a significant underestimation or devaluation, not just a difference of opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think little of" functions as a verb phrase expressing a subjective assessment or judgment. It describes the act of undervaluing or underestimating something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its application in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "think little of" is a versatile tool for expressing the act of undervaluing or underestimating something. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI. Primarily found in news and media, academic, and wiki sources, it's essential to remember that this phrase suggests a misjudgment of value, not merely a disagreement. When writing, be mindful of the intensity, reserving "think little of" for situations where true underestimation is evident. Understanding this nuance, along with its related phrases, will enhance your ability to convey precise and insightful evaluations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undervalue

Similar to underestimate, highlighting insufficient appreciation.

underestimate

Focuses on valuing something lower than its actual worth.

minimize

Highlights reducing the perceived importance of something.

make light of

Emphasizes treating something serious as unimportant.

dismiss

Highlights rejecting something as not worth considering.

downplay

Similar to minimize, suggesting an attempt to de-emphasize something.

disregard

Direct synonym focusing on ignoring or neglecting something.

not take seriously

A more literal alternative, expressing a lack of gravity or importance.

belittle

Focuses on making someone or something seem small or unimportant.

scorn

Conveys a stronger sense of contempt or disdain.

FAQs

How can I use "think little of" in a sentence?

You can use "think little of" to indicate that someone undervalues or underestimates something. For example, "The manager seems to "think little of" employee feedback."

What does it mean to "think little of" something?

To ""think little of"" something means to have a low opinion of it, or to consider it unimportant or insignificant. It implies a lack of respect or appreciation.

Which is correct, "think little of" or "think lightly of"?

"Think little of" and "think lightly of" are similar, but "think little of" is more common and generally suggests a stronger degree of underestimation or disregard.

What are some phrases similar to "think little of"?

Alternatives include "underestimate", "undervalue", or "make light of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.