The phrase “all but” is a commonly used expression in the English language. It is often used to indicate that something is almost, but not quite, true or complete. The phrase can be used in a variety of contexts, from describing a situation to expressing an opinion. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of “all but.”
Definitions
The phrase “all but” is used to indicate that something is almost true or complete, but not quite. It is often used to describe a situation where only a small detail or action is missing for something to be completed. For example, “I have all but finished my homework” means that the homework is almost complete, but there is still a small amount left to do.
Origin
The origin of the phrase “all but” is unclear, but it is believed to have been used in the English language since the 16th century. It is thought to be a combination of the words “all” and “but,” which were commonly used in Middle English to indicate that something was almost true or complete.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “all but” means “very nearly” or “almost.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “everything except” or “nearly.”
Associations
The phrase “all but” is often associated with the idea of something being incomplete or unfinished. It can also be associated with the idea of something being almost true, but not quite.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for “all but” include almost, nearly, practically, virtually, and just about.
Antonyms
Antonyms for “all but” include completely, totally, wholly, and entirely.
The same root words
The phrase “all but” is made up of the words “all” and “but.” “All” comes from the Old English word “eall,” which means “entirely” or “completely.” “But” comes from the Old English word “be-utan,” which means “outside” or “except.”
Example Sentences
- “I have all but finished my work.”
- “The team all but won the championship.”
- “The concert was all but sold out.”
- “The storm all but destroyed the town.”
- “He all but admitted that he was guilty.”