From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englisha spot of somethinga spot of somethingBritish English informalLITTLE/NOT MUCH a small amount of something Do you fancy a spot of lunch? I’ve been having a spot of bother (=some problems) with my car. → spot
Examples from the Corpus
a spot of something• Uncle Albert was squatting down by the flower bed doing a spot of weeding.• A large emerald ring flashed a spot of light into a dark corner of the room.• He turned up with his pals at the Isle of Man boat this morning, looking for a spot of trouble.• Everyone benefited from knowing them so a spot of poaching was not held against them.• Hopefully, it was all over now and he'd be able to take a spot of leave.• Lord C told her to take a spot of leave before reporting for a short parachute course.• He points to a spot of oil in the water and hurls his harpoon and strikes the spot dead center.• Even the protection of the House of Lords is lacking, thanks to a spot of bother Lloyd George had in 1911. 