Bare minimum
Meaning
The least possible amount or degree required for something to be adequate or functional.
Origin
The core of "minimum" springs from the Latin minimus, meaning 'least,' a concept ancient civilizations understood well when measuring shortages or setting baselines. But it was the addition of "bare" that truly sharpened its edge in the English lexicon. Imagine a landscape stripped utterly "bare"—no trees, no adornments, just the raw earth. This potent image of nakedness, of having absolutely nothing extra, started to intensify the idea of 'minimum' to its starkest degree. As a combined phrase, "bare minimum" gained widespread currency, especially in the 20th century. It emerged as society and industry increasingly needed a precise term for that razor's edge: the absolute, non-negotiable threshold below which something simply ceases to function, a fundamental standard stripped of all excess.
Examples
- To pass the class, you only need to submit the bare minimum of assignments, but don't expect a high grade.
- We decided to just do the bare minimum for the party decorations, as the focus was on the food and company.