in a mere instant 是什麼意思

查看翻譯

In this case, using "mere" reinforces the idea that something is happening in an instant. It literally means "an insignificant or unimportant amount", so a mere amount of an "instant" is a very short time indeed.

Other ways we use "mere":
> For a mere $1000, you can buy this car!
This may sound strange, but the use of the word "mere" here suggests that $1000 is a "small amount" for buying a car.

> The bond of marriage should be stronger than mere friendship.
Here, "mere" is used to suggest "friendship" is a lesser form of relationship to marriage.

> To the gods, we mere mortals must seem quite pathetic.
Here, "mere" is used to accentuate how small/weak/less humans are to gods.