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scanty quantity
[SKAN-tee KWON-ti-tee]
noun phrase
pl: scanty quantities
quantidade escassa
1.
A small or insufficient amount of something; a meager supply
The scanty quantity of food was barely enough to feed the family.
A quantidade escassa de comida era apenas suficiente para alimentar a família.
2.
An inadequate or limited supply that falls short of what is needed or expected
We had only a scanty quantity of water for the journey.
Tínhamos apenas uma quantidade escassa de água para a jornada.
NYC Slang
a hot minute's worth
Synonyms
meager amount
sparse amount
limited supply
insufficient quantity
small portion
Antonyms
abundant quantity
ample amount
plentiful supply
generous portion
copious amount
Regional Variations
General Brazilian
quantidade escassa
Standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
quantidade migalha
Colloquial variation meaning 'crumb-like amount'
São Paulo
quantidade insuficiente
More formal alternative
Portugal
quantidade reduzida
Common Portuguese usage
Related Idioms & Phrases
a drop in the bucket
barely a pittance
short end of the stick
in short supply
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