💎 Precious Few and Rarely Seen 💎
Definition:
Precious few
Meaning: A very small number.
Often used to emphasize scarcity or rarity, hinting at something valuable or much needed but alarmingly limited.
Synonyms:
- Scant
- Hardly any
- Barely any
- Few and far between
- Scarce
Antonyms:
- Plentiful
- Abundant
- Masses
- Many
Usage:
“Despite hours of searching, we found precious few clues to solve the mystery.”
Similar Terms and Expressions:
✔️ “Few and far between”
Meaning: Very few and spread over a large area or period of time.
Example: “Her visits to the town were few and far between.”
✔️ “Rare as hen’s teeth”
Meaning: Extremely rare or virtually nonexistent.
Example: “Apologies from him are as rare as hen’s teeth.”
✔️ “Thin on the ground”
Meaning: In short supply.
Example: “Good teachers are thin on the ground in this rural area.”
Historical References:
- “While on the Continent I have received precious few letters.” — A. Gray in a letter of 1839.
- “Precious few of them have declared in favour of the bill.” — Neville Chamberlain in a speech to the House of Commons (August 26, 1886).
Humorous Quotes:
“Opportunities are like sunsets. If you wait too long, you miss them. And believe me, precious few if any ever come your way again.”
Literature and Media:
- Book: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens — For an exploration of scarcity and abundance during the French Revolution.
- Movie: 12 Angry Men — Reflects on the rarity of genuine persuasion.
- Song: “Precious and Few” by Climax — A classic song from the ’70s about valuing rare moments.
Fun with Quizzes! 📚
Farewell Thought 🙌
Words, like precious gems, have multifaceted uses and hold a plethora of meanings. Remember, the beauty in language often lies in its rarity and precious few gems of wisdom. Go forth and cherish the words that truly shine!
Happy word hunting! ✨
