"Hardly at all" is a phrase used to describe a negligible or minimal amount of something, indicating that it rarely or scarcely occurs, can almost be regarded as nonexistent, or has a very low degree of frequency or intensity. It signifies an extremely limited or insignificant extent or occurrence of an action, event, condition, or characteristic.
The term "hardly" suggests that there is a great difficulty or scarcity in the action or condition being referred to, implying an extreme shortage or deficiency. The addition of "at all" emphasizes the absence of this action or characteristic in its entirety, intensifying the idea of its insignificance. It emphasizes a lack of frequency, almost bordering on the absence of the phenomenon in question.
For instance, if one says, "I hardly ate at all today," it means that the individual consumed an exceptionally small amount of food, suggesting a meager or almost non-existent intake. Similarly, if someone states, "He hardly spoke at all during the meeting," it signifies that the person barely uttered any words throughout the duration of the gathering, perhaps implying a lack of contribution or engagement.
Ultimately, "hardly at all" conveys that the given action, event, condition, or characteristic is barely present, occurring to such a minimal extent that it is practically non-existent or can be disregarded.
