relatively soon

mapa, hombre

Ex: There is a correlation between length of time spent obtaining the book required and loss of interest.

Ex: Library use declines during the June-October period when examinations have finished and the students are on vacation.

* absorber tiempo = absorb + time.

* acabarse el tiempo = time + run out, time + be + up.

* acaparar el tiempo de Alguien = monopolise + time.

* adaptarse a los tiempos = change with + the times, move with + the times, keep up with + the times, adapt to + the times.

* adelantado a su tiempo = ahead of + Posesivo + time(s).

* adelantarse a + Posesivo + tiempo = be years ahead of + Posesivo + time.

* administración del tiempo = time management.

* administrar el tiempo = manage + time.

* adquirido con el transcurso del tiempo = time-based.

* agotarse el tiempo = time + run out.

* ahorrar para cuando lleguen tiempos difíciles = save for + a rainy day.

* ahorrar tiempo = save + time.

* ahorrar tiempo de escritura = save + typing.

* ahorro de tiempo = time-saving [timesaving], economy of time, savings in time.

* Algo a lo que hay que dedicar mucho tiempo = time-consuming [time consuming].

* Algo que ahorra tiempo = time saver [timesaver].

* Algo que lleva mucho tiempo de hacer = time-consuming [time consuming].

* Algo que se hace para matar el tiempo = time filler.

* Algo que se le va tomando el gusto con el tiempo = acquired taste.

* algún tiempo = awhile.

* al mismo tiempo = at once, at the same time, concurrently, in the process, simultaneously, contemporaneously, at the same instant, at one and the same time, in parallel, concomitantly, at the one time, all the while.

* al mismo tiempo que = in parallel to/with, while, as the same time as, cum, in conjunction with.

* al mismo tiempo que + Indicativo = whilst + Gerundio.

* a lo largo del tiempo = longitudinal, longitudinally.

* alquilar tiempo = buy + time.

* a medida que pasaba el tiempo = as time passed (by), as time went by.

* a medida que pasa el tiempo = as time goes by, as time passes (by).

* andar (muy) apurado de tiempo = be (hard) pressed for + time.

* andar (muy) corto de tiempo = be (hard) pressed for + time.

* andar (muy) escaso de tiempo = be (hard) pressed for + time.

* andar (muy) falto de tiempo = be (hard) pressed for + time.

* anunciado desde hace tiempo = long-heralded.

* apurado de tiempo = time-rationed, crunched for time, time-crunched.

* a su debido tiempo = in due course, timely, in due time.

* a su tiempo = in a timely fashion, in due course, in a timely manner.

* a tiempo = in timely fashion, on time, promptly, timely, just in time, in time.

* a tiempo completo = full-time.

* a tiempo parcial = part-time.

* a través del tiempo = over time.

* avatares del tiempo, los = vicissitudes of time, the, whims of time, the.

* avecinarse tiempos difíciles = tough times ahead, lean times ahead, darker times + lie ahead, hard times ahead.

* basado en el tiempo = time-based.

* bastante tiempo = ample time.

* breve período de tiempo = while.

* buenos tiempos = good times.

* cada cierto tiempo = episodic, every so often, every now and then, every now and again.

* cada tanto tiempo = every so often, every now and again, every once in a while.

* cambiar con el paso del tiempo = change over + time.

* cambiar con el tiempo = change over + time.

* cambiar con el transcurso del tiempo = change over + time.

* cantar victoria antes de tiempo = speak too soon.

* cantidad de tiempo = length of time.

* cápsula del tiempo = time capsule.

* carrera contra el tiempo = race against time, race against the clock.

* comprar tiempo = buy + time.

* con el correr del tiempo = over the years, in the process of time, with the passage of time.

* con el decursar del tiempo = with the passage of time, in the process of time.

* con el paso del tiempo = over the years, over time, with the passage of time, as time goes by, in due course, over a period of time, in the course of time, over the course of time, in the process of time, as time passed (by), as time passes (by), as time went by.

* con el tiempo = in time, over the years, with time, with the passage of time, eventually, in due course, over a period of time, in due time, over time, in the process of time, as time passed (by), as time passes (by), as time goes by, as time went by, by and by.

* con el transcurrir del tiempo = with the passage of time, in the process of time, as time passed (by).

* con el transcurso del tiempo = over time, with time, with age, as time goes by, in the course of time, over the course of time, as time passes (by), as time went by.

* consagrado por el tiempo = time-proven.

* conseguir tiempo = buy + time.

* considerado desde hace mucho tiempo = long considered.

* consumir + Posesivo + tiempo = swallow up + Posesivo + time.

* con un plazo de tiempo muy corto = at (a) very short notice.

* con un plazo de tiempo tan corto = at such short notice.

* cumplido hace tiempo = long overdue.

* curso a tiempo completo = full-time course.

* dar tiempo = give + time, donate + Posesivo + time.

* dar tiempo a Alguien = give + Nombre + some time.

* de algún tiempo a esta parte = for some time now.

* dedicación de tiempo = expenditure of time.

* dedicar algún tiempo a hacer algo = have + a turn at.

* dedicar el tiempo y el esfuerzo = take + the time and effort.

* dedicar tiempo = spend + time, lend + time, expend + time, devote + time, dedicate + time.

* dedicar tiempo a = take + time on.

* de hace mucho tiempo = age-old, long-term, long-lost.

* dejar tiempo = free up + time.

* dejar tiempo libre = free up + time.

* demasiado tiempo = too long.

* demostrado válido por el tiempo = time-tested.

* de otros tiempos = of yore.

* de otro tiempo = of yore.

* desde el comienzo de los tiempos = since the beginning of time, from the beginning of time, since time began.

* desde el principio de los tiempos = since the beginning of time, from the beginning of time, since time began.

* desde hace algún tiempo = for some time past, for days.

* desde hace la tira (de tiempo) = for yonks and yonks, for yonks.

* desde hace muchísimo tiempo = in ages (and ages and ages).

* desde hace mucho tiempo = for ages, long-time [longtime], far back in time, for a long time, long since, in ages (and ages and ages).

* desde hace tanto tiempo = so long.

* desde hace tiempo = long [longer -comp., longest -sup.], over the years, for a long time, long since, for some time.

* desde hace un montonazo de tiempo = for yonks and yonks.

* desde hace un montón de tiempo = for yonks.

* desde hace ya algún tiempo = for some time now.

* desde los primeros tiempos = since the earliest of times, from earliest times.

* desde los viejos tiempos = since olden times.

* desde tiempo inmemorial = since earliest time, since time immemorial, from time immemorial, since time out of mind, from time out of mind.

* desde tiempos prehistóricos = since prehistoric times.

* desperdiciar tiempo = squander + time.

* desperdicio de tiempo = time waster.

* deteriorado por el paso del tiempo = timeworn.

* de todos los tiempos = all-time, of all time(s).

* de un tiempo a esta parte = for some time now.

* dispositivo de desconexión automática transcurrido un tiempo determinado = time out mechanism.

* donar tiempo = donate + Posesivo + time.

* donde el tiempo es de suma importancia = time-critical.

* durante algún tiempo = for a while, for some time, for some while, for some time to come, for days.

* durante cierto tiempo = over a period of time.

* durante cuánto tiempo = how long.

* durante demasiado tiempo = for too long.

* durante este tiempo = in this time.

* durante largos períodos de tiempo = over long periods of time.

* durante la tira de tiempo = for donkey's years.

* durante muchísimo tiempo = for ages and ages (and ages).

* durante mucho tiempo = long [longer -comp., longest -sup.], for generations, long-time [longtime], for a long time to come, for long periods of time, for a long period of time, lastingly, for a very long time, for many long hours, for a long time, in ages (and ages and ages), in ages (and ages and ages).

* durante tanto tiempo = for so long, so long.

* durante tanto tiempo como sea posible = for as long as possible.

* durante un largo período de tiempo = over a long time scale, over a long period of time, for a long period of time, over a long period.

* durante un período de tiempo = for a number of years.

* durante un periodo de tiempo determinado = over a period of time.

* durante un período de tiempo indefinido = over an indefinite period of time, over an indefinite span of time.

* durante un porrón de tiempo = for donkey's years.

* durar mucho tiempo = last + long.

* durar tiempo = take + time, take + long.

* el paso del tiempo = the passage of time, the sands of time.

* el tiempo de Algo = in season.

* el tiempo dirá = time will tell.

* el tiempo es oro = time is money.

* el tiempo lo dirá = only time will tell.

* el tiempo vuela = time flies (by).

* el transcurrir del tiempo = the sands of time.

* embates del tiempo, los = ravages of time, the.

* emplear tiempo = spend + time, expend + time, devote + time.

* en aquellos tiempos = at the time, the then + Nombre, by this time, in those days.

* encontrar el tiempo = make + an opportunity.

* encontrar tiempo = find + time.

* encuesta sobre el uso del tiempo = time-use survey.

* en estos tiempos = in these times, in this day and age.

* en los últimos tiempos = latterly, in recent times, in modern times, in recent memory.

* en muy poco tiempo = before long.

* en nada de tiempo = at a moment's notice, in next to no time, in no time at all, in no time.

* en otros tiempos = in days of yore, in times of yore.

* en otro tiempo = in days of yore, in times of yore.

* en poco tiempo = before very long, in quite a short time, in a short time, in a short span of time.

* en sus buenos tiempos = in + Posesivo + heyday.

* en su tiempo = formerly.

* en tiempo de carnaval = carnivalistically.

* en tiempo de feria = carnivalistically.

* en tiempo de guerra = wartime [wart-time].

* en tiempo real = real time [real-time], in real time.

* en tiempos de = in times of.

* en tiempos de adversidad = in times of + adversity.

* en tiempos de austeridad = in austere times.

* en tiempos de guerra = in time(s) of war.

* en tiempos de Maricastaña = in olden days, in olden times.

* en tiempos de paz = in peacetime, during peacetime, in peace, in time(s) of peace.

* en tiempos de recesión = in recessionary times.

* en tiempos de recesión económica = in recessionary times.

* en tiempos difíciles = in times of need.

* en tiempos más recientes = in more recent times.

* en tiempos prehistóricos = in prehistoric times.

* en un corto espacio de tiempo = in a short space of time.

* en un corto período de tiempo = in a short period of time.

* en un tiempo razonable = timely.

* en un tiempo relativamente corto = in a relatively short time, in a relatively short span of time.

* equivalente a tiempo completo = full-time equivalent (FTE).

* esa época ya pasó hace tiempo = that time is long past.

* escaso de tiempo = time-strapped, short of time.

* esperado durante tiempo y con ansiedad = long-and-expectantly-awaited.

* esperado hace tiempo = overdue.

* establecido desde hace tiempo = long-established.

* estado del tiempo = weather conditions.

* estar muy por delante de su tiempo = be years ahead of + Posesivo + time.

* estragos del tiempo, los = ravages of time, the.

* faceta de tiempo = Time facet.

* factor tiempo = time factor.

* facturación por tiempo de conexión = metered pricing, metered billing.

* falta de tiempo = tightness of scheduling.

* falto de tiempo = crunched for time, time-crunched, short of time.

* finito en el tiempo = timebound [time-bound].

* florecer antes de tiempo = bolt.

* frontera del tiempo = time boundary.

* fue durante mucho tiempo = long remained.

* fuera de onda con los tiempos modernos = out of keeping with the times, out of tune with the times.

* ganar tiempo = win + time, buy + time, free up + time.

* germinar antes de tiempo = bolt.

* gestión del tiempo = time management.

* gusto que se adquiere con el tiempo = acquired taste.

* hablar antes de tiempo = speak too soon.

* hace algún tiempo = some time ago, a while back, some while ago.

* hace demasiado tiempo = too long ago.

* hace la tira (de tiempo) = yonks and yonks, yonks.

* hace muchísimo tiempo = ages (and ages) ago, aeons ago, yonks.

* hace mucho tiempo = all those many moons ago, many moons ago.

* hace muy poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hace poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hacer algún tiempo = sometime back.

* hacer frente a tiempos difíciles = cope with + difficult times.

* hacer mucho tiempo que Algo ha desaparecido = be long gone.

* hace tiempo = for some time, long ago, once, long since.

* hace un montonazo de tiempo = yonks and yonks.

* hace un montón de tiempo = yonks.

* hace ya mucho tiempo que = gone are the days of.

* hace ya tiempo = long since.

* hasta el final de los tiempos = till the end of time.

* hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo = until relatively recently.

* instalaciones para dedicar el tiempo libre = leisure facilities.

* intentar ganar tiempo = play for + time, temporise [temporize, -USA].

* intervalo de tiempo = date range.

* inversión de tiempo = commitment of time.

* invertir el tiempo de Uno en = invest + Posesivo + time in.

* ir en contra del tiempo = race against + time, race against + the clock.

* justo a tiempo = (just) in the nick of time, just in time, not a moment too soon.

* la mayoría del tiempo = most of the time.

* largos períodos de tiempo = long periods of time.

* la tira de tiempo = donkey's years.

* liberar tiempo = free up + time.

* limitado por el tiempo = time-constrained.

* límite de tiempo = time limit.

* llegar a tiempo = arrive + in time, arrive + on time.

* llevar tiempo = take + time, take + a while, take + long, absorb + time.

* llevar tiempo y esfuerzo = take + time and effort.

* los buenos tiempos = the good old days.

* los viejos tiempos = the good old days.

* malos tiempos = bad times.

* margen de tiempo = time frame [timeframe].

* matar el tiempo = kill + time.

* mejoría del tiempo = break in the weather.

* muchísimo tiempo después = ages and ages hence.

* mucho tiempo = long time, a very long time, long hours, ample time, for a long time.

* mucho tiempo antes de (que) = long before.

* mucho tiempo después = ages and ages hence.

* mucho tiempo después (de que) = long after.

* muy apreciado desde hace tiempo = long-revered.

* muy a tiempo = in good time.

* muy venerado desde hace tiempo = long-revered.

* no cantes victoria antes de tiempo = don't count your chickens before they are hatched.

* noción del tiempo = notion of time, sense of time.

* no hace mucho tiempo = not so long ago.

* no pasar mucho tiempo antes de que + Subjuntivo = be not long before + Indicativo.

* no tener tiempo de nada = have + not a moment to spare.

* nuevos tiempos, los = wind(s) of change, the.

* observar atentamente y durante cierto tiempo = maintain + vigil.

* ocupar el tiempo = fill in + Posesivo + time.

* ocupar tiempo = occupy + time, take up + time.

* olvidado desde hace tiempo = long forgotten.

* pasar algún tiempo en = have + a turn at.

* pasar el tiempo = pass + the time, hang around, spend + Posesivo + days, hang about, hang out.

* pasar el tiempo libre = spend + Posesivo + leisure, spend + Posesivo + leisure time.

* pasar mucho tiempo antes de que = be a long time before.

* pasar tiempo = spend + time.

* pasar tiempo haciendo Algo = do + stint at.

* perder el tiempo = dawdle, mess around, pissing into the wind, mess about, faff (about/around), pootle, sit + idle, muck around/about, piddle around.

* perder la noción del tiempo = lose + track of time, lose + all notion of time, lose + all sense of time.

* perder tiempo = waste + time, lose + time.

* pérdida de tiempo = time wasting, wild goose chase, waste of time, time-consuming [time consuming], fool's errand.

* pérdida de un tiempo precioso = waste of precious time.

* perdido hace tiempo = long-lost.

* período de tiempo = amount of time, time, time frame [timeframe], time lapse, time period, time span [time-span], time slot, period of time, date range.

* permanecer estable con el tiempo = be stable over time.

* pero al mismo tiempo = but then again.

* plazo de tiempo = timeline [time line].

* poco tiempo = short while, short time.

* poco tiempo después = shortly afterwards.

* poner a mal tiempo buena cara = keep + Posesivo + chin up.

* por algún tiempo = for sometime.

* por mucho tiempo = for long, for long periods of time.

* por un período de tiempo limitado = on a short-term basis.

* por un tiempo = for a time.

* por un tiempo indefinido = for indefinite time.

* postulado desde hace mucho tiempo = long-espoused.

* precio calculado según el tiempo de conexión = connect time based pricing.

* precio calculado según el tiempo empleado = time-based charge.

* preocupado por el tiempo = time-conscious.

* programador de tiempo = egg timer.

* prolongar el tiempo = prolong + time.

* propugnado desde hace mucho tiempo = long-espoused.

* que cambia con el tiempo = ever-changing [ever changing], time-variant, ever-shifting.

* que consume tiempo = time-consuming [time consuming].

* quedar anulado con el paso del tiempo = be overtaken by events.

* que depende del tiempo = time-dependent.

* que hay que dedicarle mucho tiempo = time-intensive.

* que lleva tiempo en cartelera = long-running.

* que se percibe desde hace mucho tiempo = long-felt.

* que utiliza el tiempo como variable = time-dependent.

* recuperar el tiempo perdido = make up for + lost time.

* reloj que registra el tiempo de conexión = accounting clock.

* remontarse bastante en el tiempo = go back + a long way.

* remontarse en el tiempo = extend + far back, stretch + far back in time.

* resistir el paso del tiempo = stand + the test of time, withstand + the test of time, survive + the test of time, pass + the test of time.

* robarle tiempo al sueño = burn + the candle at both ends.

* se avecinan malos tiempos = hard times lie ahead.

* sensible al tiempo = time-sensitive [time sensitive].

* sentido del tiempo = sense of time, notion of time.

* ser una pérdida de tiempo = be idle, beat + a dead horse, fart + in the wind.

* ser un pérdida de tiempo = flog + a dead horse.

* ser un producto de su tiempo = be a product of + Posesivo + time.

* si el tiempo lo permite = weather permitting.

* siempre que Uno puede dedicarle el tiempo = in + Posesivo + own time, on + Posesivo + own time.

* si hay tiempo = time permitting.

* sin importar el tiempo = all-weather.

* si no lo impide el tiempo = weather permitting.

* sin tiempo que perder = without a minute to spare.

* si queda tiempo = time permitting.

* sistema de tiempo real = real-time system.

* sobrado de tiempo = unpressed for time.

* sólo por tiempo limitado = for a limited time only.

* subordinado al tiempo = time-dependent.

* suficiente tiempo = long enough, ample time.

* superar la barrera del tiempo = cross + time barriers.

* tanto tiempo = so much time, this long, such a very long time.

* tardar tanto tiempo en = take + so long to.

* tardar tiempo = take + time, take + long.

* tarifa calculada según el tiempo de conexión = connect time based pricing.

* tarifa calculada según el tiempo empleado = time-based charge.

* tarifa calculada según el tiempo utilizado = time-based tariff.

* tener mucho tiempo libre = have + plenty of time to spare.

* terminarse el tiempo = time + run out.

* tiempo adicional = extra-time.

* tiempo agotado = time out.

* tiempo + apremiar = time + press, time + be of the essence.

* tiempo + avanzar inexorablemente = time + march on.

* tiempo de acceso = access time, seek time, access speed.

* tiempo de búsqueda = search time.

* tiempo de calidad = quality time.

* tiempo de carga = loading time.

* tiempo de conexión = connect time.

* tiempo de conexión en línea = online time.

* tiempo de CPU = CPU time.

* tiempo de demora = lead time.

* tiempo de descarga = download time.

* tiempo de descarga de datos = download time, latency.

* tiempo de duración = lifespan [life span].

* tiempo de emisión = airtime.

* tiempo de espera = lead time, wait time, waiting time, waiting period.

* tiempo de estudio = study time.

* tiempo de inicio = start time.

* tiempo de ordenador = computer time, computer time.

* tiempo de préstamo = document delivery.

* tiempo de proceso = processing time.

* tiempo de reacción = reaction time.

* tiempo de respuesta = response time, turnaround time, turnabout time, fill time, reaction time.

* tiempo durante el cual el ordenador no está disponible al público = down time.

* tiempo + estar a favor de Alguien = time + be + on + Posesivo + side.

* tiempo estar de lado de Alguien = time + be + on + Posesivo + side.

* tiempo familiar = quality time.

* tiempo fuera de servicio = downtime.

* tiempo futuro = future tense.

* tiempo inmemorial = time immemorial.

* tiempo libre = leisure, leisure time, free time, idle hours, spare time.

* tiempo muerto = downtime, time out.

* tiempo + pasar = time + march on.

* tiempos alocados = heady days.

* tiempos de los romanos = Roman times.

* tiempos de paz = peacetime [peace time].

* tiempos difíciles = difficult times, tough times, hard times, embattled time(s).

* tiempo + seguir su marcha inexorable = time + march on.

* tiempos emocionantes = heady days.

* tiempo + ser esencial = time + be of the essence.

* tiempo + ser + precioso = time + be + precious.

* tiempos mejores = better times.

* tiempos modernos = modern times.

* tiempos turbulentos = embattled time(s).

* tiempo transcurrido = elapsed time.

* tiempo verbal = tense.

* todo al mismo tiempo = all at once.

* todo el tiempo = all of the time, left, right and centre, the whole time, all the while.

* tomar el tiempo = time.

* tomarse el tiempo que Uno necesita = take + Posesivo + time.

* tomar tiempo = take + time, take + long.

* trabajador a tiempo parcial = part-timer.

* trabajar durante un período de tiempo = serve + stint.

* trabajo a tiempo parcial = part-time work, part-time employment, part-time job.

* transcurrir tiempo = lapse + time.

* tratar de ganar tiempo = temporise [temporize, -USA], play for + time.

* un porrón de tiempo = donkey's years.

* un tiempo = awhile.

* usando el tiempo de un modo eficaz = time efficient [time-efficient].

* vencido hace tiempo = long overdue.

* venir de mucho tiempo atrás = go back + a long way.

* viajar hacia atrás en el tiempo = travel back in + time.

* viaje a través del tiempo = time travel.

* viaje en el tiempo = time travel.

* vicisitudes del tiempo, las = vicissitudes of time, the, whims of time, the.

* viejos tiempos, los = good old days, the.

* ya hace algún tiempo = for quite some time.

* ya hace bastante tiempo = for quite a while now.

* alerta del tiempo = weather warning.

* artífice del tiempo = weather-maker, rainmaker.

* buen tiempo = fair weather.

* cuando el tiempo lo permita = when the weather permits.

* del tiempo = room temperature.

* el cielo rojo al atardecer augura buen tiempo, el cielo rojo al amanecer aug = red sky at night, (shepherd/sailor)'s delight, red sky in the morning, (shepherd/sailor)'s warning.

* hombre del tiempo = weatherman.

* justo a tiempo = not a minute too soon.

* mapa del tiempo = weather map.

* muy mal tiempo = severe weather.

* para todo tipo de tiempo = all-weather.

* si hace buen tiempo = weather permitting.

* tiempo + aclararse = weather + clear.

* tiempo de invierno = winter weather.

* tiempo de verano = summer weather.

* tiempo estival = summer weather.

* tiempo inclemente = intemperate weather.

* tiempo invernal = winter weather.

 

tiempo sustantivo masculino
1


te acostumbrarás con el tiempo you'll get used to it in time;
perder el tiempo to waste time;
¡no hay tiempo que perder! there's no time to lose!;
para ganar tiempo (in order) to gain time;
tiempo libre spare time, free time;
¿cuánto tiempo hace que no lo ves? how long is it since you last saw him?;
hace tiempo que no sé de él I haven't heard from him for a long time;
ya hace tiempo que se marchó she left quite some time ago;
¡cuánto tiempo sin verte! I haven't seen you for ages;
la mayor parte del tiempo most of the time;
me llevó mucho tiempo it took me a long time;
no pude quedarme más tiempo I couldn't stay any longer;
poco tiempo después a short time after;
de un tiempo a esta parte for some time (now);
a tiempo completo/parcial full time/part time;
no vamos a llegar a tiempo we won't get there in time;
al mismo tiempo at the same time;
avísame con tiempo let me know in good time;
¡qué tiempos aquellos! those were the days!;
en aquellos tiempos at that time, in those days




cada cosa a su tiempo everything in (its own) good time


2 (Dep) ( en partido) half;

3 (Mús) ( compás) tempo, time;
( de sinfonía) movement
4 (Ling) tense
5 (Meteo) weather;

del or (Méx) al tiempo ‹ bebida› at room temperature
tiempo sustantivo masculino
1 (indeterminado) time: llegó a tiempo para ver el espectáculo, he got there in time to see the show
hace mucho tiempo, a long time ago
me llevó mucho tiempo, it took me a long time
la vi poco tiempo después, I saw her a short time after o soon afterwards
¿cuánto tiempo tienes para acabarlo?, how long have you got to finish it?
es tiempo perdido, it's a waste of time
tómate tu tiempo, take your time
no puedo quedarme más tiempo, I can't stay any longer
a su (debido) tiempo, in due course
a un tiempo/al mismo tiempo, at the same time
de tiempo en tiempo, from time to time
tiempo libre, free time
2 (de un bebé) age: ¿cuánto o qué tiempo tiene?, how old is she?
3 (época) en mis tiempos de estudiante, in my student days
nació en tiempos de Luis XIV, he was born in the time of Louis XIV
malos tiempos o fig tiempo de vacas flacas, hard times o rainy days
4 Meteor weather
hace buen tiempo, the weather is good
tiempo tormentoso, stormy weather
5 Mús tempo
6 Dep half
primer tiempo, first half
tiempo muerto, time out
7 Ling tense 8 del tiempo, (temperatura ambiente) póngame un refresco del tiempo, no lo quiero con hielo, could I have a non-refrigerated soft drink, please
9 Auto (motor) de dos/cuatro tiempos, two-cycle/four-cycle
♦ Locuciones: dar tiempo al tiempo, to let matters take their course
hacer tiempo, to while away the time
matar el tiempo, to kill time
Lab a tiempo parcial/completo, part/full time
con el tiempo, in the course of time
de un tiempo a esta parte, lately
' tiempo' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
A
- acá
- achuchar
- adelanto
- alborotada
- alborotado
- alborotarse
- allá
- andar
- anquilosarse
- antes
- anticiclónica
- anticiclónico
- anticiparse
- apremiar
- aprovechada
- aprovechado
- apurada
- apurado
- aquí
- áspera
- áspero
- atonía
- atrás
- avenida
- avenido
- bizantina
- bizantino
- bochorno
- cargada
- cargado
- cerca
- coincidir
- conceder
- congraciarse
- contrarreloj
- contrato
- corta
- corto
- costar
- cuando
- cuanta
- cuanto
- cundir
- de
- debida
- debido
- dedicar
- descontar
- desde
English:
absorb
- accomplice
- accustom
- administration
- advance
- advantage
- after
- age
- ago
- ahead
- allow
- as
- at
- barring
- be
- beautiful
- before
- begin
- behind
- best
- between
- beyond
- bitter
- bleak
- boiling
- breezy
- brighten up
- brisk
- busy
- by
- bygone
- calm
- catch up
- change
- clear up
- clock
- concurrently
- corner
- course
- dawdle
- demand
- depend
- dilly-dally
- distant
- drag
- dull
- early
- encroach
- end
- enough
[florecer, celebrar] early; RP Informát tiempo de acceso access time; Informát tiempo de búsqueda search time; Fot tiempo de exposición exposure time; Informát tiempo real real time; Informát tiempo de respuesta response time; Fam Irónico Méx [cuarto] quarter; tiempo añadido injury o stoppage time; tiempo intermedio split time [at halfway point]; tiempo compuesto compound tense; [movimiento] movement; [compás] time

1. adv. - por poco 2. (f. - poca)

pron.

little, few

3. (f. - poca)

adj.

little, few, not much

* * *

1. ADJ

1) [en singular] little, not much

tenemos poco tiempo — we have little time, we don't have much time

hay muy poco queso — there's very little cheese, there's hardly any cheese

de poco interés — of little interest

con poco respeto — with little respect, with scant respect

el provecho es poco — the gain is small, there isn't much to gain

• poca cosa, no te preocupes por tan poca cosa — don't worry about such a little thing

poca cosa se podría haber hecho — there wasn't much we could have done

comemos, jugamos a cartas, leemos y poca cosa más — we eat, play cards, read and do little else o and that's about it

es poca cosa — (=no mucho) it's not much; (=no importante) it's nothing much

somos tan poca cosa — we're so insignificant

es muy guapa pero poca cosa — she's very pretty, but there isn't much to her

• y por si fuera poco — and as if that weren't enough, and to cap it all

2) [en plural] few, not many

pocos niños saben que... — few o not many children know that...

tiene pocos amigos — he has few friends, he hasn't got many friends

pocos días después — a few days later

compré unos pocos libros — I bought a few books

me quedan pocas probabilidades — I don't have much chance

todas las medidas son pocas — no measure will be enough

2. PRON

1) [en singular]

a) (=poca cosa)

la reforma servirá para poco — the reform won't do much good o won't be much use

una hora da para poco — you can't get much done in an hour

con lo poco que me quedaba — with what little I had left

ya sabes lo poco que me interesa — you know how little it interests me

b)

• un poco — a bit, a little

-¿tienes frío? -un poco — "are you cold?" - "a bit o a little"

he bebido un poco, pero no estoy borracho — I've had a bit to drink, but I'm not drunk

voy a dormir un poco — I am going to have a little sleep

le conocía un poco — I knew him a bit o slightly

necesito descansar un poco — I need to rest for a while

espera un poco — wait a minute o moment

estoy un poco triste — I am rather o a little sad

es un poco lo que yo comentaba — that's more or less what I was saying

• un poco como, es un poco como su padre — he's rather o a bit like his father

lo hice un poco como protesta — I did it partly as a protest

• un poco de, un poco de dinero — a little money

dame un poco de vino — can I have some wine?

¡un poco de silencio! — let's have some quiet here!

c) [referido a tiempo] not long

tardaron poco en hacerlo — it didn't take them long to do it, they didn't take long to do it

lleva poco trabajando aquí — he hasn't been working here long

• a poco de — shortly after

a poco de haberlo firmado — shortly after signing it

• cada poco — every so often

• dentro de poco — shortly, soon

• poco después — shortly after

• hace poco — not long ago

fuimos a verla hace poco — we visited her not long ago, we visited her quite recently

tu hermana ha llamado hace poco — your sister called a short while ago

la conozco desde hace poco — I haven't known her long, I've only known her for a short while

hasta hace poco — until recently

2) [en plural] few

pocos son los que... — there are few who...

ya somos pocos los que nos sentimos así — there are now very few of us who feel this way

pocos de entre ellos — few of them

como hay pocos —

es tonto como hay pocos — he's as stupid as they come

3. ADV

1) [con verbos] not much, little

cuesta poco — it doesn't cost much, it costs very little

habla poco — he doesn't say much

ahora trabaja poco — he doesn't work much now

vamos poco a Madrid — we don't go to Madrid much, we hardly ever go to Madrid

lo estiman poco — they hardly value it at all, they value it very little

2) [con adjetivos: se traduce a menudo por medio de un prefijo]

poco dispuesto a ayudar — disinclined to help

poco amable — unkind

poco probable — unlikely

poco inteligente — unintelligent, not very intelligent

sus libros son poco conocidos aquí — his books are not very well known here

3) [otras locuciones]

poco a poco — little by little

¡poco a poco! — steady on!, easy does it!

a poco Méx —

*

¿a poco? — never!, you don't say!

¡a poco no! — not much! *

¿a poco no? — (well) isn't it?

¿a poco crees que...? — do you really imagine that...?

• de a poco — LAm gradually

• tener en poco, tiene en poco a su jefe — she doesn't think much of her boss

tiene la vida en poco — he doesn't value his life

• poco más o menos — more or less

• por poco — almost, nearly

por poco me ahogo — I almost o nearly drowned

• a poco que, a poco que pueda — if at all possible

a poco que corras, lo alcanzas — if you run now you'll catch it

* * *

I

adverbio

es muy poco agradecido — he is very ungrateful

un autor muy poco conocido — a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante — I didn't find it very interesting

habla poco — he doesn't say much o a lot

viene muy poco por aquí — he hardly ever comes around

... con lo poco que le gusta el arroz —... and he doesn't even like rice; para locs ver poco III 4)

II

- ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little; ( en plural) few

muy poco vino — very little wine

muy pocos niños — very few children

qué poco sentido común tienes! — you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa — I have very few clothes

éramos demasiado pocos — there were too few of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco — it was amazing, I can't (even) begin to tell you

todo le parece poco — she is never satisfied

III

- ca pronombre

1) (poca cantidad, poca cosa)

le serví sopa pero comió poca — I gave her some soup but she didn't eat much

por poco que gane... — no matter how little o however little she earns...

se conforma con poco — he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara — he nearly hit me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino — he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas — buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left

es un profesor como pocos — there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo — not many people can afford to do that

2) poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo)

lo vi hace poco — I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce — she hasn't known him for very long

tardó poco en hacerlo — it didn't take him long to do it

falta poco para las navidades — it's not long till Christmas

a poco de venir él — soon o shortly after he came

dentro de poco — soon

poco antes de que... — a short while o shortly before...

3) un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; ( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

espera un poquito — wait a little while

todavía le duele un poco — it still hurts him a little o a bit

es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón — it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima — partly because I felt sorry for him

b)

un poco de: un poco de pimienta/vino a little (bit of) pepper/wine; come un poco de jamón — have a bit of ham

c)

un poco + adj/adv: un poco caro/tarde — a bit o a little expensive/late

4) (en locs)

a poco — (Méx)

¿a poco no lees los periódicos? — don't you read the newspapers?

a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! — isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

a poco ganaron! — don't tell me they won!

de a poco — (AmL) gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito — add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo — little by little she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come; tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives; me tienes bien en poco si crees que... you can't think very highly o much of me if you think...; poco a poco gradually; poco más o menos approximately, roughly; poco menos que nearly; poco menos que la mata (fam) he almost killed her; poco menos que los echan a patadas (fam) they practically kicked them out; por poco — nearly

* * *

= little [less -comp., least -sup.], low [lower -comp., lowest -sup.], scant, trifle, tad, little in the way of.

Ex. Explanatory references give a little more explanation as to why the link between two names is being made in the catalogue or index.

Ex. Carlton Duncan discussed the difficulties built into the educational processes which led to under-performance at school and the resulting low representation in higher education and low entry into the professions.

Ex. Scant attention is paid to evaluation and the needs of users.

Ex. She had been a trifle nervous until it was formally announced that the position was hers.

Ex. Williams is one of those rare poets who satisfies the yearning that many of us have for the memorable phrase we wish we had said were our perceptions a tad keener.

Ex. Without any significant restructuring, the LIS programme in Iran will provide little in the way of riding out the rapid transition that the field is currently experiencing.

----

* abultar poco = be skimpy.

* acercarse poco a poco (a) = edge (toward(s)).

* actuar con poca consideración hacia = play + fast and loose with.

* agua poco profunda = shallow water.

* aguas poco profundas = shallows.

* alimentos poco saludables = unhealthy foods.

* a poca distancia = not far behind.

* a poca distancia andando = within walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a poca distancia a pie = within an easy walk, within walking distance.

* a pocos minutos andando = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a pocos minutos a pie = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* avanzar poco a poco (hacia) = edge (toward(s)).

* cada pocos años = every few years.

* comida poco saludable = unhealthy foods.

* comportamiento poco cívico = uncivic behaviour.

* con muchos huesos y poca carne = bony [bonier -comp., boniest -sup.].

* con muy poca antelación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca anticipación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca frecuencia = all too seldom.

* con muy pocas excepciones = with few exceptions.

* con muy pocos medios = on a shoestring (budget).

* con poca claridad = indistinctly.

* con poca exactitud = loosely.

* con poca experiencia = inexperienced.

* con poca iluminación = dimly illuminated.

* con poca imaginación = unimaginatively.

* con poca naturalidad = stiltedly.

* con poca población = thinly populated.

* con pocas habilidades = poor-ability.

* con poca visión de futuro = short-sighted [shortsighted].

* con poco dinero = on the cheap.

* con poco entusiasmo = half-heartedly.

* con pocos recursos = under-resourced.

* con pocos recursos económicos = low-budget.

* consumir poco a poco = eat away at.

* con tan poca antelación = at such short notice.

* con tan poca anticipación = at such short notice.

* correr poco a poco = eat away at.

* cuestiones poco claras = grey area [gray area].

* de forma poco ética = unethically.

* de forma poco imaginativa = unimaginatively.

* de forma poco profesional = unprofessionally.

= petty criminal.

Ex. When the security services carry out acts of terror, they employ patsies who often are petty criminals or people who are mentally backward or mentally unstable.

----

* de manera poco ética = unethically.

* de manera poco profesional = unprofessionally.

* demasiado poco común = all too rare.

* de modo poco imaginativo = unimaginatively.

* dentro de poco = before long.

* de población poco densa = sparsely populated.

* de poca importancia = menial, small-time.

* de poca monta = hack, small-time.

* de pocas luces = dim [dimmer -comp., dimmest -sup.], dim-witted [dimwitted].

* de poco impacto = low impact [low-impact].

* de poco peso = pat, feeble.

* de poco provecho = fruitless.

* de poco uso = low-use.

* de poco valor = a dime a dozen.

* desaparecer poco a poco = fade into + the sunset.

* de todo un poco = about this and that and everything else, about this and that.

* de un modo poco constructivo = unconstructively.

* de un modo poco económico = wastefully.

* de un modo poco natural = unnaturally.

* donde cabe mucho también cabe poco = what holds a lot will hold a little.

* durar poco = be short term.

* echar poco a poco = dribble.

* el que mucho abarca poco aprieta = jack of all trades, master of none.

* en el caso poco probable de que = in the unlikely case (that).

* en muy poco tiempo = before long.

* en pocas palabras = simply put, in brief, to say the least, to put it (quite) simply, in short, to cut a long story short, bottom line, the, put simply, to make a long story short, the short story + be, simply stated.

* en poco tiempo = before very long, in quite a short time, in a short time, in a short span of time.

* en unos pocos años = within a few years.

* estar poco dispuesto = be reluctant.

* estar poco representado = underrepresent [under-represent].

* estar un poco anticuado = be some years old.

* excusa poco convincente = lame excuse.

* faltar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* faltar un poco = be some way off.

* gente de poca importancia = small fry, the.

* haber poca duda de que = there + be + little doubt that.

* hace muy poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hace poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hacer poca distinción entre... y... = make + little distinction between... and....

* hacer poco = do + little.

* hacer que sea poco probable = render + unlikely.

* hace unos pocos años = a few years ago.

* hace unos pocos días = a few days ago.

* hasta hace muy poco = until recently, up until recently.

* hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo = until relatively recently.

* horas de poca actividad = slack hours.

* horas de poco movimiento = slack hours.

* introducirse poco a poco = ease + Reflexivo + in.

* ir poco más allá de + Infinitivo = go little further than + Gerundio.

* llegar poco a poco = dribble in.

* lo poco común = rarity, rareness.

* mucho ruido para pocas nueces = much ado about nothing.

* mucho ruido y pocas nueces = storm in a teacup, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* muchos jefes y pocos trabajadores = too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

* muy poco = minimally.

* ofrecer poco = low-ball.

* operación de poca monta = one-room, one-person operation.

* pagando un poco más = at additional cost.

* parece tener poco sentido que = there + seem + little point in.

* pasar poco a poco = slide into.

* período de poca actividad = slack time.

* perro ladrador, poco mordedor = barking dogs seldom bite, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* poca cantidad = trickle.

* poca cosa = small fry, the.

* poca iluminación = poor lighting.

* poca importancia = unimportance, low profile.

* poca notoriedad = low profile.

* poca probabilidad = slim chance.

* poca severidad = lenience, leniency.

* pocas expectativas = low expectation.

* poca utilidad = unhelpfulness.

* poco abundante = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco accesible = unapproachable.

* poco acertado = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], injudicious.

* poco acogedor = inhospitable.

* poco aconsejable = unwise, inadvisable.

* poco adecuado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco + Adjetivo = slightly + Adjetivo, less than + Adjetivo.

* poco afortunado = unhappy, ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco agraciado = ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco amable = off-putting, surly [surlier -comp., surliest -sup.], crusty [crustier -comp., crustiest -sup.], unkind.

* poco americano = un-American.

* poco amistoso = off-putting, unfriendly.

* poco antes de + Fecha = shortly before + Fecha.

* poco a poco = gradually, piecemeal, slowly, incrementally, at a snail's pace, little by little, bit by bit.

* poco apreciado = unappreciated.

* poco apropiado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco apto = inapt.

* poco arriesgado = low-risk.

* poco asequible = unapproachable.

* poco atractivo = off-putting, unattractive, unglamorous, uninviting, unappealing.

* poco atrevido = unadventurous.

* poco audaz = unadventurous.

* poco aventurero = unadventurous.

* poco cabelleroso = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cálido = lukewarm.

* poco científico = hit-or-miss, unscientific.

* poco cívico = uncivic.

* poco claro = confusing, fuzzy [fuzzier - comp., fuzziest -sup.], indistinct, obscure, unclear, untidy, hazy, inconclusive, slurred, clouded, blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], undistinguished, uncleared, indistinctive, bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco colaborador = unresponsive.

* poco comercial = uncommercial.

* poco competitivo = uncompetitive.

* poco complicado = uncomplicated, uncomplicatedly.

* poco comprensivo = unsympathetic.

* poco común = rare, unfamiliar, unusual, uncommon, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco comunicativo = uncommunicative, reserved.

* poco confortable = uncomfortable.

* poco conocido = obscure, little known.

* poco convencido = unconvinced.

* poco convencional = unconventional.

* poco convincente = unconvincing, inconclusive, pat, feeble.

* poco convincentemente = unconvincingly.

* poco correcto = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cortés = impolite, ungentlemanlike.

* poco culto = unenlightened.

* poco decidido = half-hearted [halfhearted].

* poco definido = blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco denso = rarefied.

* poco deportivo = unsportsmanlike.

* poco después = soon afterwards, shortly afterwards, shortly after, not long after.

* poco después de = soon after (that), shortly after.

* poco después de que = shortly after.

* poco diestro = poor-ability.

* poco diplomático = indiscreet.

* poco dispuesto = disinclined.

* poco dispuesto a colaborar = uncooperative.

* poco ducho en las nuevas tecnologías = technologically challenged.

* poco económico = uneconomical.

* poco efectivo = ineffectual.

* poco eficaz = non-efficient.

* poco elegante = inelegant, awkward, dowdy [dowdier -comp., dowdiest -sup.].

* poco embarazoso = unembarrassing.

* poco entusiasta = half-hearted [halfhearted], lukewarm.

* poco envidiable = unenviable.

* poco estable = unsettled.

* poco estético = unaesthetic.

* poco estimulador = unchallenging.

* poco estimulante = unexciting, uninspiring, unmoving.

* poco estricto = lax.

* poco ético = unethical.

* poco evidente = unnoticed, unnoted.

* poco exigente = untaxing, undemanding.

* poco favorable = unpromising.

* poco favorecedor = unflattering.

* poco fiable = unreliable, undependable, flaky [flakey].

* poco firme = tenuous, rocky [rockier -comp., rockiest -sup.].

* poco flexible = monolithic, inelastic.

* poco frecuente = infrequent.

* poco fructífero = unfruitful.

* poco gratificante = unrewarding, unsatisfying.

* poco grato = unwelcome.

* poco hábil = poor-ability.

* poco habitual = unaccustomed.

* poco halagador = unflattering.

* poco halagüeño = unflattering.

* poco hospitalario = inhospitable.

* poco idóneo = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco iluminado = dimly illuminated.

* poco imaginativo = unimaginative.

* poco importante = menial, small-time.

* poco impresionado = unimpressed.

* poco informativo = uninformative.

* poco intelectual = lowbrow [low-brow].

* poco inteligente = unintelligent.

* poco intenso = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco interesante = dull, jackdaw, uninteresting, uninspiring, unremarkable.

* poco juicioso = injudicious.

* poco justificado = ill-justified.

* poco listo = underprepared.

* poco maduro = underripe.

* poco más = little else.

* poco materialista = unworldly.

* poco memorable = forgettable.

* poco mundano = unwordly.

* poco natural = unnatural, stilted.

* poco nítido = untidy.

* poco normal = unnatural, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco novedoso = trite.

* poco original = unoriginal.

* poco ortodoxo = unorthodox.

* poco poblado = thinly populated.

* poco práctico = impractical, awkward.

* poco preparado = underprepared.

* poco probable = unlikely, far-fetched [farfetched].

* poco productivo = unproductive.

* poco profesional = amateurish, unprofessional.

* poco profundo = shallow [shallower -comp., shallowest -sup.].

* poco prometedor = bleak, unpromising.

* poco propicio = unpromising, unpromising.

* poco provechoso = fruitless, unrewarding.

* poco prudente = ill-advised, ill-judged.

* poco pulido = unpolished.

* poco razonable = unreasonable.

* poco realista = unrealistic, unreal, unwordly, way out in left field, airy-fairy.

* poco recomendable = inadvisable.

* poco refinado = unrefined, unpolished.

* poco rentable = uneconomical.

* poco representativo = unrepresentative.

* poco romántico = unromantic.

* poco sabido = little known.

* poco saludable = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco sano = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco seguro = dicey [dicier -comp., diciest -sup.].

* poco sensato = ill-advised, injudicious, ill-judged.

* poco sentimental = unsentimental.

* poco serio = flippant.

* poco sincero = insincere.

* poco sistemático = sloppy [sloppier -comp., sloppiest -sup.].

* poco social = unsocial.

* poco sofisticado = elementary, unsophisticated, corn-fed.

* poco sólido = insubstantial.

* poco tiempo = short while, short time.

* poco tiempo después = shortly afterwards.

* poco tradicional = untraditional.

* poco unido = loosely knit.

* poco uniforme = patchy [patchier -comp., patchiest -sup.].

* poco usado = little-used.

* poco usual = unusual.

* poco útil = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], unhelpful.

* poquito a poco = little by little.

* por mencionar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por mencionar uno pocos = just to name a few.

* por nombrar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por nombrar unos pocos = to name a few.

* por poco dinero = cheaply.

* por poco o nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por si era poco = for good measure.

* por si fuera poco = to boot, for good measure, to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* prestar poca atención a = give + little thought to.

* pretexto poco convincente = lame excuse.

* quedar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* quedar un poco = be some way off.

* quedar un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* que ocupa poco espacio = space-saving.

* qué poco común = how odd.

* quien mucho abarca poco aprieta = bite off more than + Pronombre + can chew.

* reducirse poco a poco = dribble off.

* resultar poco fructífero = prove + unfruitful.

* roer poco a poco = eat away at.

* saber un poco de todo y mucho de nada = jack of all trades, master of none.

* sacar poco a poco = tease out.

* salir un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* sangre poco espesa = thin blood.

* ser algo muy poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco común = be the exception rather than the rule.

* ser algo poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser algo poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser de poco valor = be of little use, be of little value.

* ser muy poco probable = be remote.

* ser poco = be under-provided.

* ser poco agradecido = be thankless.

* ser poco eficaz = do + little.

* ser poco reconocido = be thankless.

* ser pocos = be few in number, be small in number.

* ser un hecho poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser un hecho poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* servir de poco = be of little use.

* servir de poco o nada = be of little or no avail.

* solución poco real = pie in the sky solution.

* tener poca información = be information poor.

* tener pocas luces = as thick as a brick, as thick as two (short) planks, as daft as a brush, knucklehead.

* tener pocas posibilidades de = have + little recourse.

* tener poco que ver = have + little to do.

* tener poco valor = be of little value.

* trabajo de poca monta = odd-job.

* un hombre de pocas palabras = a man of few words.

* unos pocos elegidos = a select few.

* un poco = a bit, somewhat, slightly, something of, a little bit, kinda [kind of].

* un poco áspero = roughish.

* un poco como = kind of like.

* un poco de = a measure of, a touch (of), a bit of, a piece of, a spot of, a splash of, a hint of.

* un poco + Nombre = a shade + Nombre.

* un poco obscuro = dusky.

* un poco perdido = a bit at sea.

* un poco rugoso = roughish.

* usado con poca frecuencia = seldom used [seldom-used].

* usuario que hace poco uso del préstamo = light borrower.

* utilizar poco = underutilise/under-utilise [underutilize/under-utilize, -USA].

* vivienda poco digna = poor housing.

* y poco más = and little more.

* * *

I

adverbio

es muy poco agradecido — he is very ungrateful

un autor muy poco conocido — a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante — I didn't find it very interesting

habla poco — he doesn't say much o a lot

viene muy poco por aquí — he hardly ever comes around

... con lo poco que le gusta el arroz —... and he doesn't even like rice; para locs ver poco III 4)

II

- ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little; ( en plural) few

muy poco vino — very little wine

muy pocos niños — very few children

qué poco sentido común tienes! — you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa — I have very few clothes

éramos demasiado pocos — there were too few of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco — it was amazing, I can't (even) begin to tell you

todo le parece poco — she is never satisfied

III

- ca pronombre

1) (poca cantidad, poca cosa)

le serví sopa pero comió poca — I gave her some soup but she didn't eat much

por poco que gane... — no matter how little o however little she earns...

se conforma con poco — he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara — he nearly hit me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino — he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas — buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left

es un profesor como pocos — there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo — not many people can afford to do that

2) poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo)

lo vi hace poco — I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce — she hasn't known him for very long

tardó poco en hacerlo — it didn't take him long to do it

falta poco para las navidades — it's not long till Christmas

a poco de venir él — soon o shortly after he came

dentro de poco — soon

poco antes de que... — a short while o shortly before...

3) un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; ( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

espera un poquito — wait a little while

todavía le duele un poco — it still hurts him a little o a bit

es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón — it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima — partly because I felt sorry for him

b)

un poco de: un poco de pimienta/vino a little (bit of) pepper/wine; come un poco de jamón — have a bit of ham

c)

un poco + adj/adv: un poco caro/tarde — a bit o a little expensive/late

4) (en locs)

a poco — (Méx)

¿a poco no lees los periódicos? — don't you read the newspapers?

a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! — isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

a poco ganaron! — don't tell me they won!

de a poco — (AmL) gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito — add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo — little by little she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come; tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives; me tienes bien en poco si crees que... you can't think very highly o much of me if you think...; poco a poco gradually; poco más o menos approximately, roughly; poco menos que nearly; poco menos que la mata (fam) he almost killed her; poco menos que los echan a patadas (fam) they practically kicked them out; por poco — nearly

* * *

= little [less -comp., least -sup.], low [lower -comp., lowest -sup.], scant, trifle, tad, little in the way of.

Ex: Explanatory references give a little more explanation as to why the link between two names is being made in the catalogue or index.

Ex: Carlton Duncan discussed the difficulties built into the educational processes which led to under-performance at school and the resulting low representation in higher education and low entry into the professions.

Ex: Scant attention is paid to evaluation and the needs of users.

Ex: She had been a trifle nervous until it was formally announced that the position was hers.

Ex: Williams is one of those rare poets who satisfies the yearning that many of us have for the memorable phrase we wish we had said were our perceptions a tad keener.

Ex: Without any significant restructuring, the LIS programme in Iran will provide little in the way of riding out the rapid transition that the field is currently experiencing.

* abultar poco = be skimpy.

* acercarse poco a poco (a) = edge (toward(s)).

* actuar con poca consideración hacia = play + fast and loose with.

* agua poco profunda = shallow water.

* aguas poco profundas = shallows.

* alimentos poco saludables = unhealthy foods.

* a poca distancia = not far behind.

* a poca distancia andando = within walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a poca distancia a pie = within an easy walk, within walking distance.

* a pocos minutos andando = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a pocos minutos a pie = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* avanzar poco a poco (hacia) = edge (toward(s)).

* cada pocos años = every few years.

* comida poco saludable = unhealthy foods.

* comportamiento poco cívico = uncivic behaviour.

* con muchos huesos y poca carne = bony [bonier -comp., boniest -sup.].

* con muy poca antelación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca anticipación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca frecuencia = all too seldom.

* con muy pocas excepciones = with few exceptions.

* con muy pocos medios = on a shoestring (budget).

* con poca claridad = indistinctly.

* con poca exactitud = loosely.

* con poca experiencia = inexperienced.

* con poca iluminación = dimly illuminated.

* con poca imaginación = unimaginatively.

* con poca naturalidad = stiltedly.

* con poca población = thinly populated.

* con pocas habilidades = poor-ability.

* con poca visión de futuro = short-sighted [shortsighted].

* con poco dinero = on the cheap.

* con poco entusiasmo = half-heartedly.

* con pocos recursos = under-resourced.

* con pocos recursos económicos = low-budget.

* consumir poco a poco = eat away at.

* con tan poca antelación = at such short notice.

* con tan poca anticipación = at such short notice.

* correr poco a poco = eat away at.

* cuestiones poco claras = grey area [gray area].

* de forma poco ética = unethically.

* de forma poco imaginativa = unimaginatively.

* de forma poco profesional = unprofessionally.

= petty criminal.

Ex: When the security services carry out acts of terror, they employ patsies who often are petty criminals or people who are mentally backward or mentally unstable.

* de manera poco ética = unethically.

* de manera poco profesional = unprofessionally.

* demasiado poco común = all too rare.

* de modo poco imaginativo = unimaginatively.

* dentro de poco = before long.

* de población poco densa = sparsely populated.

* de poca importancia = menial, small-time.

* de poca monta = hack, small-time.

* de pocas luces = dim [dimmer -comp., dimmest -sup.], dim-witted [dimwitted].

* de poco impacto = low impact [low-impact].

* de poco peso = pat, feeble.

* de poco provecho = fruitless.

* de poco uso = low-use.

* de poco valor = a dime a dozen.

* desaparecer poco a poco = fade into + the sunset.

* de todo un poco = about this and that and everything else, about this and that.

* de un modo poco constructivo = unconstructively.

* de un modo poco económico = wastefully.

* de un modo poco natural = unnaturally.

* donde cabe mucho también cabe poco = what holds a lot will hold a little.

* durar poco = be short term.

* echar poco a poco = dribble.

* el que mucho abarca poco aprieta = jack of all trades, master of none.

* en el caso poco probable de que = in the unlikely case (that).

* en muy poco tiempo = before long.

* en pocas palabras = simply put, in brief, to say the least, to put it (quite) simply, in short, to cut a long story short, bottom line, the, put simply, to make a long story short, the short story + be, simply stated.

* en poco tiempo = before very long, in quite a short time, in a short time, in a short span of time.

* en unos pocos años = within a few years.

* estar poco dispuesto = be reluctant.

* estar poco representado = underrepresent [under-represent].

* estar un poco anticuado = be some years old.

* excusa poco convincente = lame excuse.

* faltar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* faltar un poco = be some way off.

* gente de poca importancia = small fry, the.

* haber poca duda de que = there + be + little doubt that.

* hace muy poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hace poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hacer poca distinción entre... y... = make + little distinction between... and....

* hacer poco = do + little.

* hacer que sea poco probable = render + unlikely.

* hace unos pocos años = a few years ago.

* hace unos pocos días = a few days ago.

* hasta hace muy poco = until recently, up until recently.

* hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo = until relatively recently.

* horas de poca actividad = slack hours.

* horas de poco movimiento = slack hours.

* introducirse poco a poco = ease + Reflexivo + in.

* ir poco más allá de + Infinitivo = go little further than + Gerundio.

* llegar poco a poco = dribble in.

* lo poco común = rarity, rareness.

* mucho ruido para pocas nueces = much ado about nothing.

* mucho ruido y pocas nueces = storm in a teacup, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* muchos jefes y pocos trabajadores = too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

* muy poco = minimally.

* ofrecer poco = low-ball.

* operación de poca monta = one-room, one-person operation.

* pagando un poco más = at additional cost.

* parece tener poco sentido que = there + seem + little point in.

* pasar poco a poco = slide into.

* período de poca actividad = slack time.

* perro ladrador, poco mordedor = barking dogs seldom bite, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* poca cantidad = trickle.

* poca cosa = small fry, the.

* poca iluminación = poor lighting.

* poca importancia = unimportance, low profile.

* poca notoriedad = low profile.

* poca probabilidad = slim chance.

* poca severidad = lenience, leniency.

* pocas expectativas = low expectation.

* poca utilidad = unhelpfulness.

* poco abundante = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco accesible = unapproachable.

* poco acertado = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], injudicious.

* poco acogedor = inhospitable.

* poco aconsejable = unwise, inadvisable.

* poco adecuado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco + Adjetivo = slightly + Adjetivo, less than + Adjetivo.

* poco afortunado = unhappy, ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco agraciado = ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco amable = off-putting, surly [surlier -comp., surliest -sup.], crusty [crustier -comp., crustiest -sup.], unkind.

* poco americano = un-American.

* poco amistoso = off-putting, unfriendly.

* poco antes de + Fecha = shortly before + Fecha.

* poco a poco = gradually, piecemeal, slowly, incrementally, at a snail's pace, little by little, bit by bit.

* poco apreciado = unappreciated.

* poco apropiado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco apto = inapt.

* poco arriesgado = low-risk.

* poco asequible = unapproachable.

* poco atractivo = off-putting, unattractive, unglamorous, uninviting, unappealing.

* poco atrevido = unadventurous.

* poco audaz = unadventurous.

* poco aventurero = unadventurous.

* poco cabelleroso = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cálido = lukewarm.

* poco científico = hit-or-miss, unscientific.

* poco cívico = uncivic.

* poco claro = confusing, fuzzy [fuzzier - comp., fuzziest -sup.], indistinct, obscure, unclear, untidy, hazy, inconclusive, slurred, clouded, blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], undistinguished, uncleared, indistinctive, bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco colaborador = unresponsive.

* poco comercial = uncommercial.

* poco competitivo = uncompetitive.

* poco complicado = uncomplicated, uncomplicatedly.

* poco comprensivo = unsympathetic.

* poco común = rare, unfamiliar, unusual, uncommon, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco comunicativo = uncommunicative, reserved.

* poco confortable = uncomfortable.

* poco conocido = obscure, little known.

* poco convencido = unconvinced.

* poco convencional = unconventional.

* poco convincente = unconvincing, inconclusive, pat, feeble.

* poco convincentemente = unconvincingly.

* poco correcto = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cortés = impolite, ungentlemanlike.

* poco culto = unenlightened.

* poco decidido = half-hearted [halfhearted].

* poco definido = blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco denso = rarefied.

* poco deportivo = unsportsmanlike.

* poco después = soon afterwards, shortly afterwards, shortly after, not long after.

* poco después de = soon after (that), shortly after.

* poco después de que = shortly after.

* poco diestro = poor-ability.

* poco diplomático = indiscreet.

* poco dispuesto = disinclined.

* poco dispuesto a colaborar = uncooperative.

* poco ducho en las nuevas tecnologías = technologically challenged.

* poco económico = uneconomical.

* poco efectivo = ineffectual.

* poco eficaz = non-efficient.

* poco elegante = inelegant, awkward, dowdy [dowdier -comp., dowdiest -sup.].

* poco embarazoso = unembarrassing.

* poco entusiasta = half-hearted [halfhearted], lukewarm.

* poco envidiable = unenviable.

* poco estable = unsettled.

* poco estético = unaesthetic.

* poco estimulador = unchallenging.

* poco estimulante = unexciting, uninspiring, unmoving.

* poco estricto = lax.

* poco ético = unethical.

* poco evidente = unnoticed, unnoted.

* poco exigente = untaxing, undemanding.

* poco favorable = unpromising.

* poco favorecedor = unflattering.

* poco fiable = unreliable, undependable, flaky [flakey].

* poco firme = tenuous, rocky [rockier -comp., rockiest -sup.].

* poco flexible = monolithic, inelastic.

* poco frecuente = infrequent.

* poco fructífero = unfruitful.

* poco gratificante = unrewarding, unsatisfying.

* poco grato = unwelcome.

* poco hábil = poor-ability.

* poco habitual = unaccustomed.

* poco halagador = unflattering.

* poco halagüeño = unflattering.

* poco hospitalario = inhospitable.

* poco idóneo = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco iluminado = dimly illuminated.

* poco imaginativo = unimaginative.

* poco importante = menial, small-time.

* poco impresionado = unimpressed.

* poco informativo = uninformative.

* poco intelectual = lowbrow [low-brow].

* poco inteligente = unintelligent.

* poco intenso = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco interesante = dull, jackdaw, uninteresting, uninspiring, unremarkable.

* poco juicioso = injudicious.

* poco justificado = ill-justified.

* poco listo = underprepared.

* poco maduro = underripe.

* poco más = little else.

* poco materialista = unworldly.

* poco memorable = forgettable.

* poco mundano = unwordly.

* poco natural = unnatural, stilted.

* poco nítido = untidy.

* poco normal = unnatural, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco novedoso = trite.

* poco original = unoriginal.

* poco ortodoxo = unorthodox.

* poco poblado = thinly populated.

* poco práctico = impractical, awkward.

* poco preparado = underprepared.

* poco probable = unlikely, far-fetched [farfetched].

* poco productivo = unproductive.

* poco profesional = amateurish, unprofessional.

* poco profundo = shallow [shallower -comp., shallowest -sup.].

* poco prometedor = bleak, unpromising.

* poco propicio = unpromising, unpromising.

* poco provechoso = fruitless, unrewarding.

* poco prudente = ill-advised, ill-judged.

* poco pulido = unpolished.

* poco razonable = unreasonable.

* poco realista = unrealistic, unreal, unwordly, way out in left field, airy-fairy.

* poco recomendable = inadvisable.

* poco refinado = unrefined, unpolished.

* poco rentable = uneconomical.

* poco representativo = unrepresentative.

* poco romántico = unromantic.

* poco sabido = little known.

* poco saludable = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco sano = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco seguro = dicey [dicier -comp., diciest -sup.].

* poco sensato = ill-advised, injudicious, ill-judged.

* poco sentimental = unsentimental.

* poco serio = flippant.

* poco sincero = insincere.

* poco sistemático = sloppy [sloppier -comp., sloppiest -sup.].

* poco social = unsocial.

* poco sofisticado = elementary, unsophisticated, corn-fed.

* poco sólido = insubstantial.

* poco tiempo = short while, short time.

* poco tiempo después = shortly afterwards.

* poco tradicional = untraditional.

* poco unido = loosely knit.

* poco uniforme = patchy [patchier -comp., patchiest -sup.].

* poco usado = little-used.

* poco usual = unusual.

* poco útil = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], unhelpful.

* poquito a poco = little by little.

* por mencionar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por mencionar uno pocos = just to name a few.

* por nombrar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por nombrar unos pocos = to name a few.

* por poco dinero = cheaply.

* por poco o nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por si era poco = for good measure.

* por si fuera poco = to boot, for good measure, to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* prestar poca atención a = give + little thought to.

* pretexto poco convincente = lame excuse.

* quedar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* quedar un poco = be some way off.

* quedar un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* que ocupa poco espacio = space-saving.

* qué poco común = how odd.

* quien mucho abarca poco aprieta = bite off more than + Pronombre + can chew.

* reducirse poco a poco = dribble off.

* resultar poco fructífero = prove + unfruitful.

* roer poco a poco = eat away at.

* saber un poco de todo y mucho de nada = jack of all trades, master of none.

* sacar poco a poco = tease out.

* salir un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* sangre poco espesa = thin blood.

* ser algo muy poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco común = be the exception rather than the rule.

* ser algo poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser algo poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser de poco valor = be of little use, be of little value.

* ser muy poco probable = be remote.

* ser poco = be under-provided.

* ser poco agradecido = be thankless.

* ser poco eficaz = do + little.

* ser poco reconocido = be thankless.

* ser pocos = be few in number, be small in number.

* ser un hecho poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser un hecho poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* servir de poco = be of little use.

* servir de poco o nada = be of little or no avail.

* solución poco real = pie in the sky solution.

* tener poca información = be information poor.

* tener pocas luces = as thick as a brick, as thick as two (short) planks, as daft as a brush, knucklehead.

* tener pocas posibilidades de = have + little recourse.

* tener poco que ver = have + little to do.

* tener poco valor = be of little value.

* trabajo de poca monta = odd-job.

* un hombre de pocas palabras = a man of few words.

* unos pocos elegidos = a select few.

* un poco = a bit, somewhat, slightly, something of, a little bit, kinda [kind of].

* un poco áspero = roughish.

* un poco como = kind of like.

* un poco de = a measure of, a touch (of), a bit of, a piece of, a spot of, a splash of, a hint of.

* un poco + Nombre = a shade + Nombre.

* un poco obscuro = dusky.

* un poco perdido = a bit at sea.

* un poco rugoso = roughish.

* usado con poca frecuencia = seldom used [seldom-used].

* usuario que hace poco uso del préstamo = light borrower.

* utilizar poco = underutilise/under-utilise [underutilize/under-utilize, -USA].

* vivienda poco digna = poor housing.

* y poco más = and little more.

* * *

poco¹

adverb

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ]

es muy poco agradecido he is very ungrateful, he isn't at all grateful

es un autor muy poco conocido he is a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante I didn't find it very interesting, I found it rather uninteresting

habla poco he doesn't say much o a lot

duerme poquísimo she sleeps very little, she doesn't sleep very much

viene muy poco por aquí he hardly ever comes around

poco y nada me ayudaron they hardly helped me at all

… con lo poco que le gusta el arroz … and he doesn't even like rice

para locs ver poco³ pron D. (↑ poco (3))

poco² -ca

adjective

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ] (con sustantivos no numerables) little; (en plural) few

muy poco vino very little wine

muy pocos niños very few children

hemos tenido muy poca suerte we've been very unlucky, we've had very little luck

¡qué poco sentido común tienes! you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa I have hardly any clothes, I have very few clothes

a poca gente se le presenta esa oportunidad not many people get that opportunity

hay muy pocas mujeres en el gremio there are very few women in the trade

éramos demasiado pocos there were too few of us, there weren't enough of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco it was amazing, I can't begin to tell you

a esta mujer todo le parece poco this woman is never satisfied

me he olvidado del poco francés/de las pocas palabras que sabía I've forgotten the little French/the few words I knew

le dio unos pocos pesos she gave him a few pesos

poco³ -ca

pronoun

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ]

A

(poca cantidad, poca cosa): le serví sopa pero comió poca I gave her some soup but she only ate a little o she didn't eat much

sírvele poco, desayunó muy tarde don't give him (too) much, he had a late breakfast

por poco que gane, siempre es otro sueldo no matter how little o however little she earns o even if she doesn't earn much, it's still another salary coming in

se conforma con poco he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara he nearly hit me

poco y nada saqué en limpio de lo que dijo what he said made little or no sense to me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left o we have very few left

es un profesor como pocos there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo not many people can afford to do that

B

poco (refiriéndose a tiempo): lo vi hace poco I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce she hasn't known him for very long, she's only known him a little while

tardó poco en pintar la cocina it didn't take him long to paint the kitchen

falta poco para las navidades it's not long till Christmas, Christmas isn't far off

a poco de terminar el bombardeo soon o shortly after the bombing stopped

dentro de poco sale otro tren there'll be another train soon o shortly

poco antes de que ella se fuera a short while o shortly before she left

C

un poco

1 (refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; (refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

¿te sirvo un poco? would you like a little o some?

descansemos un poco let's rest for a while, let's have a little rest

espera un poquito wait a little while

todavía le duele un poquitín or poquitito it still hurts him a little

2

un poco de: ponle un poco de pimienta/vino add a little (bit of) pepper/wine

tiene un poco de fiebre he has a slight fever, he has a bit of a temperature o a slight temperature ( BrE)

come un poco de jamón have a bit of o some o a little ham

3

un poco (hasta cierto punto): es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima partly because I felt sorry for him

4 un poco + ADJ/ADV:

un poco caro/tarde a bit o a little expensive/late

me queda un poco corto it's a bit short o a little short o slightly too short (for me)

habla un poco más fuerte speak up a bit o a little

D ( en locs):

a poco ( Méx): ¿a poco no lees los periódicos? don't you read the newspapers?

¡a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

¡a poco ganaron! don't tell me they won!

nos sacamos el gordo de la lotería — ¡a poco ! we won the big lottery prize — you didn't!

de a poco ( AmL); gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo little by little o slowly she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que nos ganaran they came very close to beating us, they very nearly beat us

en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come

tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives

me tienes bien en poco si me crees capaz de eso you can't think very highly o much of me if you think I could do such a thing

poco a poco or ( Méx) a poquito gradually

poco a poco la fueron arreglando they gradually fixed it up, they fixed it up little by little

poco más o menos approximately, roughly

habrán gastado unos dos millones, poco más o menos they must have spent in the neighborhood o ( BrE) region of two million

poco menos que nearly

es poco menos que imposible it's well-nigh o almost o very nearly impossible

le pegó una paliza que poco menos que la mata ( fam); he gave her such a beating he almost o nearly killed her

poco menos que los echan a patadas ( fam); they practically kicked them out

por poco nearly

por poco nos descubren we were nearly found out

* * *

 

poco 1 adverbio:

◊ habla poco he doesn't say much o a lot;

es muy poco agradecido he is very ungrateful;
un autor muy poco conocido a very little-known author;
viene muy poco por aquí he hardly ever comes around;
para locs ver poco 2 4
poco 2 -ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little;

( en plural) few;

◊ muy poco vino very little wine;

muy pocos niños very few children;
había poquísimos coches there were hardly any cars
■ pronombre
1 (poca cantidad, poca cosa):

◊ había poco que hacer there was little to do;

por poco que gane … no matter how little o however little she earns …;
se conforma con poco he's easily satisfied;
todo le parece poco she is never satisfied;
pocos quisieron ayudar few were willing to help;
pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo not many people can afford to do that
2

◊ poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo): lo vi hace poco I saw him recently o not long ago;

hace muy poco que lo conoce she hasn't known him for very long;
tardó poco en hacerlo it didn't take him long to do it;
falta poco para las navidades it's not long till Christmas;
a poco de venir él soon o shortly after he came;
dentro de poco soon;
poco antes de que … a short while o shortly before …
3

◊ un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little;

( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while;

◊ dame un poco I'll have some o a little;

espera un poco wait a while

b)

◊ un poco de a little, a bit of

c) un poco + adj/adv:

◊ un poco caro/tarde a bit o a little expensive/late

4 ( en locs)

◊ a poco (Méx): ¡a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! isn't Acapulco just fantastic!;

¡a poco ganaron! don't tell me they won!;
de a poco (AmL) gradually, little by little;
poco a poco gradually;
poco más o menos approximately, roughly;
por poco nearly
poco,-a
I adjetivo
1 (con el sustantivo en singular) not much, little: tengo poco apetito, I haven't got much appetite
2 (con el sustantivo en plural) not many, few: conozco pocos lugares de Italia, I don't know many places in Italy
II pron (singular) little, not much
(plural) (objetos) few, not many
(personas) few people, not many people ➣ Ver nota en few
III adverbio
1 (con verbo) not (very) much, little: entiendo poco del tema, I don't understand much about the issue
2 (con adjetivo) not very: está poco claro, it's not very clear
3 (de tiempo) hace poco que nos conocemos, we met a short time ago
IV sustantivo masculino
1 (acompañado de adjetivo o adverbio) lo noté un poco molesto, I thought he was a bit annoyed
tendré que hacerlo un poco después, I'll have to do it a little later
2 (acompañando a un sustantivo) dame un poco de agua, give me a little water ➣ Ver nota en little
♦ Locuciones: a poco de, shortly after
dentro de poco, soon
poco a poco, little by little, gradually
poco antes/después, shortly before/afterwards
por poco, almost
' poco' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
abreviar
- aclimatarse
- adelgazar
- aguantar
- ahora
- alcornoque
- alentador
- alentadora
- algo
- antes
- apercibirse
- bagatela
- baja
- bajo
- brusca
- brusco
- bruta
- bruto
- buscar
- calentar
- cargada
- cargado
- cascada
- cascado
- cerebral
- chapucera
- chapucero
- chispa
- clara
- claro
- común
- cruda
- crudo
- cualquiera
- de
- dentro
- descuidada
- descuidado
- descuidarse
- desigual
- desmoronada
- desmoronado
- despatarrarse
- despistada
- despistado
- despreciable
- después
- desvaído
- disipar
- dudosa
English:
accomplice
- add to
- adjust
- aerial
- after
- afterwards
- along
- aloof
- amateurish
- balding
- bark
- belly
- bit
- black
- blind
- blow up
- boot
- by
- can
- careless
- chat
- comedown
- confusing
- cowboy
- degree
- derivative
- desultory
- disagreement
- disingenuous
- diving
- do
- dodgy
- doubtful
- dowdy
- earthy
- easy-going
- edge
- effect
- element
- evasion
- exist
- expect
- fall apart
- far-fetched
- fine
- flippant
- forge
- furnish
- fuzzy
- gradually

* * *

poco, -a

♦ adj

(singular) little, not much; (plural) few, not many;

de poca importancia of little importance;

poca agua not much water;

pocas personas lo saben few o not many people know it;

hay pocos árboles there aren't many trees;

tenemos poco tiempo we don't have much time;

hace poco tiempo not long ago;

dame unos pocos días give me a few days;

esto ocurre pocas veces this rarely happens, this doesn't happen often;

tengo pocas ganas de ir I don't really o much feel like going;

poca sal me parece que le estás echando I don't think you're putting enough salt in, I think you're putting too little salt in;

con lo poco que le gusta la ópera, y la han invitado a La Traviata it's ironic, considering how she dislikes opera, that they should have invited her to see La Traviata

♦ pron

1. [escasa cantidad] (singular) little, not much;

* * *

poco

I adj sg little, not much; pl few, not many;

un poco de a little;

unos pocos a few

II adv little;

trabaja poco he doesn’t work much;

ahora se ve muy poco it’s seldom seen now;

estuvo poco por aquí he wasn’t around much;

poco conocido little known;

poco a poco little by little;

dentro de poco soon, shortly;

hace poco a short time ago, not long ago;

desde hace poco (for) a short while;

por poco nearly, almost;

¡a poco no lo hacemos! Méx don’t tell me we’re not doing it;

de a poco me fui tranquilizando Rpl little by little I calmed down;

por si fuera poco as if that weren’t o wasn’t enough

III m

:

un poco a little, a bit

* * *

poco adv

1) : little, not much

poco probable: not very likely

come poco: he doesn't eat much

2) : a short time, a while

tardaremos poco: we won't be very long

3)

poco antes : shortly before

4)

poco después : shortly after

poco, -ca adj

1) : little, not much, (a) few

tengo poco dinero: I don't have much money

en no pocas ocasiones: on more than a few occasions

poca gente: few people

2)

pocas veces : rarely

poco, -ca pron

1) : little, few

le falta poco para terminar: he's almost finished

uno de los pocos que quedan: one of the remaining few

2)

un poco : a little, a bit

un poco de vino: a little wine

un poco extraño: a bit strange

3)

a poco Mex (used to express disbelief)

¿a poco no se te hizo difícil?: you mean you didn't find it difficult?

4)

de a poco : little by little

5)

hace poco : not long ago

6)

poco a poco : little by little

7)

dentro de poco : shortly, in a little while

8)

por poco : nearly, almost

* * *

poco¹ adj

1. (singular) not much

hay poco café there's not much coffee

has comido poco arroz you haven't eaten much rice

2. (plural) few / not many

tiene pocos amigos he has few friends / he hasn't got many friends

muy poco very little

hay muy poco té there's very little tea

poco² adv

1. (con verbos) not much

trabaja poco he doesn't work much

2. (no mucho tiempo) not long

estuve con él hace poco I was with him not long ago

llegó poco después she arrived not long after

3. (con adjetivos) not very

es poco simpática she's not very friendly

poco a poco little by little

por poco nearly

por poco se cae he nearly fell

por poco pierdo el tren I nearly missed the train

poco³ n a little / a bit

un poco de pan a bit of bread

un poco de agua a little water

tengo de sobra, toma un poco I've got plenty, take a little

poco⁴ pron

1. (singular) not much

compra café, que queda muy poco buy some coffee, there's not much left

2. (plural) few / not many

¿cuántos vinieron? pocos how many came? not many