half a dozen

IPA/hˈɑːf ɐ dˈʌzən/
IPA/hˈæf ɐ dˈʌzən/

half a dozen — idiom

1. used for exactly six things, or more loosely for a small group around that size.

1.慣用語A2
釋義

used for exactly six things, or more loosely for a small group around that size.

例句

Lara baked half a dozen blueberry muffins for the class picnic.

half a dozen + plural noun for an exact count

We need half a dozen chairs for the extra parents tonight.

need + half a dozen + plural noun

同義詞
  • six

    exact and more direct, without the idiomatic phrase

  • several

    less exact and often a little looser in number

  • a handful of

    informal and can suggest fewer than six

文法句型

half a dozen + plural noun

用法筆記

Usually comes before a plural countable noun after verbs such as have, need, buy, or pick up. It can mean exactly six, or more loosely a small number close to six.

常見錯誤

❌I bought half dozen eggs for breakfast.
✅I bought half a dozen eggs for breakfast.
💡the usual fixed form includes 'a' before 'dozen'.
❌We need half a dozen of chairs.
✅We need half a dozen chairs.
💡use 'of' only before pronouns or determiners, not before a plain plural noun.