Less than meaning in English

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Definition

in less than (2 weeks): in a time shorter than (2 weeks), in under (two weeks) idiom
(I have) less than (two dollars on me): (I have) a smaller amount than, not as much as (two dollars on me) idiom

Examples

  • "That's $20,000 less than her standard asking price!"
  • "I should tell you up front, Miss Bliss, Ivana doesn't even get out of bed for less than 50,000 dollars an appearance, but I'm sure you already knew that..."
  • "Well, I'll have to speak with Ivana, and I will encourage her to sign the deal, but rest assured she won't accept anything less than 35,000."
  • "I was able to bandage the wound myself in less than five minutes, and this is the reason for my lateness, and again I apologize."
  • "Brian : Well I paid $500 each for them. I can't sell for less than $300 each."
  • "After he displaced all of its contents, he was able to locate the required oil in less than a minute."
  • "Hogwash : I couldn't possibly finish the book in less than six months."
  • "I've done a quick calculation of the replacement parts necessary, and the cost would be significantly less than the purchase of a new bicycle, especially since I know of a place where I can get parts second-hand."
  • "Philip : I doubt it, Edward, unless you know how to transport 30,000 units of perfume from Southampton, England, to Brazil in less than three weeks?"
  • "Those that do survive do so on under a dollar a day, which is less than I make in a second."
  • "Fortunately for law enforcement officials, the investigation lasted less than an hour."
  • "We're set to release a new line in less than a month."
  • "This happened three times (yes, three!) in less than thirty seconds."
  • "If I don't have a new order in less than 3 weeks, it could start a revolution!"
Exercise 1
Philip lists several advantages of the Delavigne Corporation's current situation. Which of the following is NOT one of the advantages mentioned by Philip?

Philip lists several advantages of the Delavigne Corporation's current situation. Which of the following is NOT one of the advantages mentioned by Philip?
This is true. Philip tells Barbara that Delavigne has a "new factory".
This is true. Philip says "We've got Bümbüm on board". This means the company is working with Ivana Bümbüm. "On board" is an expression meaning "on the job" or "part of a team".
This is true. Philip tells Barbara that Delavigne has "exotic new chemicals". Chemicals are the main "ingredients" of most perfumes.
This is the only statement which is not true. Philip tells Barbara that Delavigne is "set to release a new line in less than a month". To be "set to" do something means that one is "about to" or "ready to" do something. Philip says that the company will release the perfumes in the future. Also, "in less than a month" expresses that the perfumes will be released in the future.

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