# a couple of sth

idiom · CEFR A2

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/a-couple-of-sth
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

This means two of something, or sometimes a small number like two or three. You use it to talk about a small quantity of things.

## Examples

- I need a couple of minutes to finish this.
- Could you please bring me a couple of chairs from the other room for our guests?
- After a couple of failed attempts to fix the engine, the mechanic finally identified the underlying issue and completed the repair.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.