barely enough
There's barely enough food for everyone at the party.
There is only a small amount of food, which is almost not enough for all guests.
just sufficient in quantity or amount; almost not enough
The company had barely enough funds to cover payroll this month.
The company's funds were just sufficient to pay employees, with almost no extra left.
She ran so fast that she had barely enough breath to speak.
She was so out of breath that she could only say a few words.
Often used to emphasize that something is at the minimum required level, with little to no surplus.
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Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'barely' alone
'Barely enough' is a fixed phrase meaning 'just sufficient.' Using 'barely' alone (e.g., 'barely food') is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Gold Rule
Use 'barely enough' for minimal sufficiency
This phrase emphasizes that something is at the lowest acceptable level. It is not interchangeable with 'enough' when the amount is truly sufficient.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'barely' (from Old English 'bærlic', meaning 'merely') and 'enough' (from Old English 'genōg', meaning 'sufficient'). The phrase emerged in Middle English as a way to express minimal sufficiency.
Usage Notes
Used in both formal and informal contexts to describe situations where the available amount is just sufficient, often with a sense of scarcity or tight margins. Common in financial, logistical, and everyday contexts.