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a few

[a few] {n.}

or {adj.}

A small number (of people or things); some.

/The dry weather killed most of Mother's flowers, but a few are left./

/In the store, Mary saw many pretty rings and bracelets, and she wanted to buy a few of them./

/After the party, we thought that no one would help clean up, but a few couples did./

/Alice wanted to read a few pages more before she stopped./

— Usually "a few" is different in meaning from "few", which emphasizes the negative; "a few" means "some", but "few" means "not many".

/We thought no one would come to lunch, but a few came./

/We thought many people would come to lunch, but few came./

But sometimes "a few" is used with "only", and then it is negative.

/We thought many people would come to lunch, but only a few came./

— Sometimes used like an adverb.

/Three students have no seats; we need a few more chairs./

/If we can set up chairs faster than people come and sit in them, we will soon be a few ahead./

— Sometimes used with "very" for emphasis.

/Uncle Ralph gave away almost all of his sea shells, but he still had a very few left./

Compare: A LITTLE. Contrast: A LOT, QUITE A FEW.

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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