"No; but I soiled my clothing a little bit."

A small portion or piece, in the first sentence, and slightly, in the
second, would serve as good equivalents for a little bit.

Sight

"There was a sight of people at the fair to-day." In the sense of a
large number, this word, like the word lot, should be avoided.

Crowd

A dozen persons may constitute a crowd if they push and jostle one
another by reason of insufficient space. A thousand men will not form
a crowd if all have ample room to sit or stand or move about.

Chuck-full

This word is not authorized. Chock-full and choke-full may be used,
but are not elegant.
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75

Contemplate, Propose

Contemplate is often incorrectly used for propose; as, "I contemplate
going to the country."