hardly a

• Expression utilisée pour souligner que quelque chose n'est pas vrai, ne correspond pas à la réalité ou est peu probable ; souvent employée pour exprimer un doute ou une contradiction de manière polie ou réservée.

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.

   à peine

   • 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.

   guère, à peine

   • 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.