Conclusion
“At the (very) least” is a common phrase used in English that expresses the minimum expectation or requirement in a given situation. It is a phrase that is used to emphasize the importance of meeting a certain standard or expectation.
Definitions
“At the (very) least” is an idiomatic expression that means “at the minimum” or “at the lowest level.” It is often used to indicate that something is the least that can be expected, but still falls short of what is desired or ideal. The phrase can also be used to indicate a starting point or a baseline for comparison.
Origin
The origin of the phrase “at the (very) least” is not clear, but it has been in use for several centuries. The phrase is believed to have originated in the early 16th century and has since become a common expression in the English language.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “at the (very) least” means “at the lowest level or as a minimum.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “no less than” or “at a minimum.” Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “as a minimum” or “at the lowest possible level.”
Associations
The phrase “at the (very) least” is often associated with the idea of compromise or settling for something less than ideal. It can also be associated with the concept of setting a baseline or minimum standard for comparison.
Synonyms
Some common synonyms for “at the (very) least” include “at minimum,” “at the lowest level,” “at the very least,” “at the very minimum,” and “at least.”
Antonyms
Some common antonyms for “at the (very) least” include “at the most,” “at the highest level,” “at the very most,” and “at the very highest level.”
The same root words
There are no specific root words associated with the phrase “at the (very) least,” but it can be broken down into its component parts: “at,” “the,” “very,” and “least.”
Example Sentences
Here are some examples of how the phrase “at the (very) least” can be used in a sentence:
- “You should study for at the very least an hour every day if you want to do well on the exam.”
- “I need to have this project completed by tomorrow at the very least.”
- “We need to have a budget of at least $10,000 to get this project off the ground.”
- “At the very least, you should apologize for what you said.”
In conclusion, “at the (very) least” is a commonly used phrase in English that expresses the minimum expectation or requirement in a given situation. It is a phrase that is used to emphasize the importance of meeting a certain standard or expectation, and it can be used in a variety of contexts.