Structure
Number/Amount + Counter + （くらい(1)） + は
Noun + くらい(1) + は
(1) ぐらい
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Standard
About Number/Amount + は
The は particle has two primary functions. The first is to mark the topic of a sentence, as learned very early in our Japanese language journey. However, the second common usage of は is to highlight contrast (making a comparison). When は is used after a number/counter, it regularly has this comparison meaning. This can be translated as 'or so', or 'at least'.
Before は, the counter is regularly followed by くらい (or ぐらい). This just softens the statement, and further highlights the 'or so' meaning.
Despite being translated as 'at least', the comparative meaning of は itself is what creates the nuance of this grammar structure. The thing before は is being highlighted as an amount, while also implying that there are other amounts. This implication of another amount makes は sound as if it could mean 'as opposed to (B)'. So in essence, this grammar structure sounds like 'As for (A), as opposed to (B)', where (B) is not usually mentioned.
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Examples
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クリスマスぐらいは家に帰って来てね？
Won't you come home for Christmas, at least?
少なくともこれぐらいは持って行ってください。
At the very least, at least bring this with you.
囚人のうち少なくとも６人は逃げたらしい。
I heard that at least 6 prisoners have escaped.
この食べ物は少なくとも床に３秒は落ちていたから食べられない。
This food was on the floor for at least 3 seconds, so I can't eat it.
付き合っているんだから手ぐらいはつないだでしょうね？
Since you are going out, you were at least holding hands, right?
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は = at least?
Japanese StackExchange
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[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 229
Tobira
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