a duras penas

a duras penas(
ah
 
doo
-
rahs
 
peh
-
nahs
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. hardly
Las historias que cuenta Susana son a duras penas creíbles.The stories Susana tells are hardly believable.
b. barely
La niebla era tan densa que a duras penas podía ver las luces traseras del automóvil que iba delante.The fog was so dense I could barely see the taillights of the car in front of me.
a. with great difficulty
López consiguió pasar la tercera ronda a duras penas, tras superar tres bolas de partido en contra.Lopez managed to get through the third round with great difficulty, after fighting off three match points.
b. only just
Perdí medio kilo en una semana, pero a duras penas.I lost half a kilo in one week, but only just.
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