English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Bits and pieces
Meaning
The idiom "bits and pieces" refers to small pieces or fragments of something. It can also mean a collection of miscellaneous or diverse items.
Usage
- The artist collected bits and pieces of different materials to create her sculpture.
- I need to gather all the bits and pieces for my presentation tomorrow.
- She threw away the bits and pieces that were no longer needed.
- We found some interesting bits and pieces about the history of our town.
- He collects old coins as a hobby and has quite a collection of bits and pieces.
Roots and History
The idiom "bits and pieces" dates back to the 16th century in English literature. It was used to describe small parts or fragments of something, such as a story or a poem. Over time, the phrase evolved to refer to a collection of diverse items, including physical objects or information.
Synonyms in English
- Scraps or pieces
- Miscellaneous or varied items
- Snippets or fragments
- A collection of small things
- Odds and ends
Synonyms in other languages
- In French, the equivalent idiom is "pièces détachées." It means detached parts or fragments.
- In Spanish, the phrase "piezas sueltas" translates to loose pieces or broken fragments.
- In Italian, the equivalent idiom is "pezzi e pezzetti," which literally means pieces and little pieces.
- In German, the phrase "Bruchstücke" translates to broken parts or fragments.
- In Japanese, the idiom "単独な部分" (tōdō na būfūn) means a single piece or a fragment that is separate from the whole.