hardly a

• Frase usada para señalar que algo difícilmente es cierto, no se ajusta a la realidad o es poco probable; a menudo expresa duda o contradicción de manera cortés o contenida.

A phrase used to emphasize that something is not true, not the case, or very unlikely; often used to express doubt or contradiction in a polite or understated way.

1. Almost no or very fewB1formal

   Used to emphasize that something is almost not true or exists in very small quantity.

   apenas / casi no

   • There is hardly a cloud in the sky today.
   • Hardly a person in the room understood the joke.
   • She had hardly a penny to her name.

2. Not really or not exactlyB2informal

   Used to suggest that something is not the case or is an exaggeration.

   apenas, difícilmente (en el sentido de 'no realmente')

   • That's hardly a reason to quit your job.
   • He is hardly a professional musician, but he plays well.
   • This is hardly a new problem; we've seen it before.