quite a few Definition

few
adj

1. Not many; a small number; hardly any.

Example: She had few books on the shelf
Thesaurus: scarce, sparse, infrequent, scant, rare, sporadic, negligible, scattered.

pronoun

1. (used as a plural) hardly any things, people, etc.

Example: There were few today, but many yesterday
Thesaurus: not many, one or two, scarcely any, some, small number, a couple, handful, a small quantity, scattering.

Idiom: a few

A small number; some.
Example: He took a few into the garden
Example: He had a few rabbits in the hat

Idiom: as few as

No more than (a stated number).

Idiom: every few hours (every few days etc)

At intervals of a few hours, days etc.

Idiom: few and far between

colloq
Rare; scarce.
Thesaurus: rare, scarce, sparse.

Idiom: a good few (quite a few)

informal
A fairly large number; several.

Idiom: have had a few

colloq
To have drunk sufficient alcohol to affect one's behaviour.

Idiom: no fewer than

As many as (a stated number).

Idiom: precious few

colloq
Hardly any at all.

Idiom: the few

The minority of discerning people, as distinct from the many.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon feawe.

Info:

See Usage Note at less.

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quite
adverb

1. Completely; entirely.

Example: I quite understand
Example: It's not quite clear what happened
Thesaurus: completely, totally, entirely, wholly.
2. To a high degree.

Example: quite exceptional
3. Rather; fairly; to some or a limited degree.

Example: quite a nice day
Example: quite enjoyed it
4. Used in a reply: I agree, see your point, etc

Form: quite so (also)

Idiom: not quite

Hardly; just short of or less than a specified thing.

Idiom: quite a ... (quite an ...)

A striking, impressive, daunting, challenging, etc ....
Example: That was quite a night

Idiom: quite a few

colloq
A reasonably large number of (people or things, etc).
Example: quite a few people brought their kids

Idiom: quite another matter (quite another thing)

Very different.

Idiom: quite some ...

A considerably large amount of ....
Example: I might be quite some time

Idiom: quite something

Very impressive.
Example: His flat is quite something

Etymology: 14c: from (adj) quit.