almostal‧most /ˈɔːlməʊst $ ˈɒːlmoʊst, ɒːlˈmoʊst/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 
Have you almost finished? Supper’s almost ready. It was almost midnight. Almost nothing was done to improve the situation. The story is almost certainly true. He’s almost as old as I am.almost all/every/everything Marsha visits her son almost every day.GRAMMAR: Word order• Almost usually comes before a main verb: · I almost cried.• Almost usually comes after ‘be’ when it is the main verb: · I am almost ready.• Almost comes after the first auxiliary verb: · She has almost decided.· It could almost be described as luminous. ✗Don’t say: She almost has decided.THESAURUSalmost not completely or not quite: · I’ve almost finished my essay.· It's almost lunchtime.nearly almost. Nearly is more commonly used in British English than American English: · I’ve been a teacher for nearly 10 years now.· It’s very nearly time to go home.not quite almost, but not yet: · ‘Is he 60?’ ‘Not quite!’· It’s not quite time to go yet.· I’m not quite ready yet.practically/virtually very nearly: · The room was practically empty.practically all/everything/everyone etc: · The frost killed practically every plant in the garden.· Virtually everyone had gone home.more or less/just about/pretty much especially spoken very nearly – use this when saying that the difference is not important: · All the rooms are more or less the same size.· His jacket was pretty much the same colour as his trousers.· The policy will benefit just about everyone.getting on for British English informal, getting on toward especially American English informal almost a particular time, age, or period of time – used especially when you are not sure of the exact time, age etc: · It’s getting on for 10 years since we last saw each other.· ‘How old’s Diane?’ ‘She must be getting on toward 50.’close to almost a particular number, amount, or time – used especially when the number or amount is surprisingly large or the time is very late: · It was close to midnight by the time we arrived.· They’ve spent close to $1.3 billion on the project.approaching/nearing almost – used when a number or amount is still increasing or a time is getting nearer: · The unemployment rate was nearing 20%.be on the verge of (doing) something to be very close to doing something: · She was on the verge of tears (=almost crying).· I was on the verge of giving up.· They were on the verge of making a decision.be on the brink of something to be very close to an extremely bad situation: · The two countries are on the brink of war.· The company was on the brink of bankruptcy.
WORD ORIGINalmost
Origin:
Old English ealmæst, from eall ‘all’ + mæst ‘mostly’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Are we almost there?
- I'm almost finished.
- It's an almost impossible task.
- The wines are almost as expensive as champagne.
- We stayed at Grandma's for almost a week.
- Early in the evening it will be almost directly overhead.
- It almost seems like a mob.
- It is calculated in almost exactly the same way.
- The crowd of almost 2, 700 cheers loudly.
- The stars looked almost the same here as they did on the other side of the world.
- The treatment of engineering dynamics is almost invariably linear, although examples of simple non-linear formulations are provided.
- The Western Electric system was thoroughly thought out, with a performance exceeding acoustic cutters by two-and-a-half octaves and almost unlimited amplification.
- Then, almost magically, as she realised this, something stirred inside her and that something was excitement and courage.
THESAURUS
not completely or not quite: · I’ve almost finished my essay.· It's almost lunchtime.
almost. Nearly is more commonly used in British English than American English: · I’ve been a teacher for nearly 10 years now.· It’s very nearly time to go home.
almost, but not yet: · ‘Is he 60?’ ‘Not quite!’· It’s not quite time to go yet.· I’m not quite ready yet.
very nearly: · The room was practically empty.practically all/everything/everyone etc: · The frost killed practically every plant in the garden.· Virtually everyone had gone home.
especially spoken very nearly – use this when saying that the difference is not important: · All the rooms are more or less the same size.· His jacket was pretty much the same colour as his trousers.· The policy will benefit just about everyone.
British English informal, getting on toward especially American English informal almost a particular time, age, or period of time – used especially when you are not sure of the exact time, age etc: · It’s getting on for 10 years since we last saw each other.· ‘How old’s Diane?’ ‘She must be getting on toward 50.’
almost a particular number, amount, or time – used especially when the number or amount is surprisingly large or the time is very late: · It was close to midnight by the time we arrived.· They’ve spent close to $1.3 billion on the project.
almost – used when a number or amount is still increasing or a time is getting nearer: · The unemployment rate was nearing 20%.
to be very close to doing something: · She was on the verge of tears (=almost crying).· I was on the verge of giving up.· They were on the verge of making a decision.
to be very close to an extremely bad situation: · The two countries are on the brink of war.· The company was on the brink of bankruptcy.
Longman Language Activatoralmost a number, time, or amount use this to say that something is a little less than a number or amount, or a little before a particular time. Almost and nearly have the same meaning, but almost is much more common than nearly in American English. In British English both words are common: · I've been a teacher for nearly 10 years now.· We had money and almost $1000 in traveler's checks.· John is three years old and Sally is almost six.very nearly: · It's very nearly time to go home.
use this when you want to emphasize that something is a little less than a number or amount, or a little before a particular time: · "Is he 60?" "Not quite!"· It's not quite time to go yet.
also close on British almost a particular number, amount, especially a surprisingly large one, or almost a particular time, especially a very late time: · The government spends close to $100 billion a year on education.· There must be close to a hundred people in the hall.· We drove close on 500 miles Saturday.· It was close on midnight by the time they got home.
almost a particular number, amount, time etc, and still increasing or getting nearer to that number, amount, time etc: · In the North East, the unemployment rate is now nearing 20 percent.be fast approaching (=very nearly a particular time): · By now the winter was fast approaching, and further travel would soon be inadvisable.
British informal to be almost a particular time, age, or period of time: it's getting on for something: · It's getting on for 10 years since we last saw each other.· It must be getting on for lunch time. I'm starving.somebody is getting on for 40, 50 etc (=use this when guessing an older person's age): · "How old's Diane?" "She must be getting on for 50."
informal to be almost forty, fifty etc - use this when you are guessing an older person's age : · Burt's probably pushing 50 by now.
almost all: almost all/every/everything/everyone · Almost all the wine had been drunk.· The burglars took nearly everything in the house that was of any value.· Almost everyone in the office has had the flu this year.
: practically all/everything/everyone etc very nearly all: · The frost killed practically every plant in the garden.· Virtually everyone had gone home.
especially spoken: just about all/everything/everyone etc very nearly all - use this when saying that the difference is not important: · I've packed pretty much everything I need for the trip.· It rains more or less every day here in November.· Sonya knew more or less everyone at the party.· She's travelled in just about every country in Europe.· The second-hand shop on the corner sells just about anything.
when something is almost true · His hair was almost white.· The moon was almost full that night.· Persuading Paul to change his mind is nearly impossible.
not completely, but almost - use this to say that something is not true, but it is almost true: · That's a good answer but it's not quite correct.· It's not quite red, it's more like a maroon color.· The orbits of the planets are almost circular, but not quite.
very nearly: · The cupboard was practically empty.· Carbon fibre tennis racquets are virtually unbreakable.· She looks practically the same as his last girlfriend.
especially spoken very nearly - use this when saying that the difference is not important: · All the rooms are more or less the same size.· His jacket was pretty much the same colour as his trousers.· Until the 18th century, the region remained more or less independent.
if a guess at a number, amount etc is close , it is almost correct but not exactly right: · "I reckon he's about 65." "You're close - he's 67."
when you have almost done something or something has almost happened · I've almost finished reading the newspaper.· It was early 1945, and the war had nearly ended.
especially spoken not completely or exactly, but almost - use this when the difference is not important: · Hanson's acting career appears to be pretty much over.· I had more or less convinced her that I was telling the truth.
almost completely: · Communist parties have practically disappeared in Europe.· Mexico's rainforest has been virtually destroyed.
not completely, but almost - use this to say that something has not happened, but that it almost has: not quite done/finished etc: · She hasn't quite finished her homework yet.· Give me five minutes - I'm not quite ready.
: all but over/finished/done very nearly finished or done: · By now the war was all but over.· "Can we go home now?" "Just one moment - I've all but finished my work."
almost at or in a particular situation, especially an extreme one: · The police describe the situation as approaching crisis proportions.· Dr Dunstable was in a state nearing nervous collapse.· I felt close to tears as I read Vera's letter.
to be very close to an extremely bad situation: · The two countries are on the brink of war.be on the verge of tears/death/hysteria etc: · Kerry is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
when something almost happens but does not · I was laughing so hard I almost fell out of my chair.· The terrorists almost succeeded in blowing up the President's limousine.very nearly · She was very lucky. She very nearly lost her life.
to almost do something or almost be in a particular state: come close/near to doing something: · She was so angry that she came very close to walking out of the meeting.· Dad came near to changing his mind about lending me the car.be close/near to something: · The negotiations were very near to breaking down.
to very nearly do something, especially something dangerous or unpleasant: come within inches of death: · Coulson came within inches of death on a climbing trip in the Himalayas last year.come within an inch of doing something: · Manchester United came within an inch of losing the game.
: narrowly avoid/miss/escape etc to avoid something unpleasant or dangerous, although you almost do not avoid it: · Flying into the airport at Lima, we narrowly avoided a collision with another plane.· The article says Meyers narrowly escaped arrest in Rome last month.
a situation in which someone is almost killed or injured: · Mike's had two motorcycle accidents, plus a few other pretty close shaves.
British if something that you succeed in doing is a near thing or a close thing you succeed in doing it, but only at the last moment: · The Labour party won the election, but it was a very near thing.· Security forces managed to free the hostages, but it was a very close thing.
spoken say this when something bad very nearly happens but does not, especially when this is the result of good luck: · The guard began to search the pile of leaves where we were hiding, but then got distracted by a noise from the house. "Phew, that was close!" said John. "C'mon, let's get out of here!"
very few a very small number of people, things, places etc: · At that time, few people had televisions.· Very few new restaurants survive for more than two years.few/very few of: · Very few of the students we asked said they were interested in politics.
so few people or things that there are almost none: · There are almost no black students at the college.· My grandmother received almost no education as she was growing up.· Except for a lone seagull flying overhead, there are almost no signs of animal life.
so few people or things that there are almost none - use this especially when this number is disappointing or surprising: · There are supposed to be a lot of teachers at the conference, but I've met hardly any.hardly/scarcely any people/things/places etc: · Although it was Monday morning there were hardly any people around.· He enjoyed his work even though he made scarcely any money.hardly anyone: · We sent out over a hundred invitations but hardly anyone came.hardly any/scarcely any of: · Scarcely any of the private schools replied to the researcher's questionnaire.
spoken say this to emphasize that there is only a very small number of people, things, times when something happens etc: · I can count the number of times my son's called me on one hand.· Ten years ago, you could count the Korean restaurants in this city on the fingers of one hand.
when something happens, although it almost did not happen · "Can I speak to Tony please?" "Sorry, you've just missed him."· If you hurry you'll just catch the 9.30 bus.· I just made it to class on time.· At the moment we're just making enough money to cover our costs.just in time (=with very little time to spare) · We got to the station just in time.
if you barely do something, you succeed, although you almost fail: · The fog was so bad that we could barely see the road in front of us.· The staff here are barely coping with all the work.
also nearly didn't British · I saw him a week ago and I almost didn't recognize him, he'd lost so much weight.· My alarm clock is broken and I nearly didn't wake up in time this morning.
British /just barely American use this when you succeed in doing something, but you want to emphasize how close you were to failing: · It was a close game. Beverly beat me, but only just.· I could just barely hear him.· The paperwork was only just completed in time for the conference.· The train was late, and I just barely made it to the meeting on time.
: narrowly win/defeat/fail etc if you narrowly win, lose etc, you win or lose by a very small number of points, votes etc: · The bill was narrowly defeated in the Senate.· She narrowly failed to beat the world record in the 100 metres sprint.
British use this to say that something good happened, but it almost did not: · The Labour party won the election, but it was a very near thing.· He nearly died - it was a very close thing.
if you do something by the skin of your teeth , you succeed in doing it, but only by a very small amount of time, space etc: · The business is surviving, but only by the skin of its teeth.· The car broke down on the way to the airport and they just caught the plane by the skin of their teeth.
a very small amount of something such as a feeling, quality etc a very small amount, so that there is not enough to have an effect, be useful, important etc: · "How much do you know about computers?" "Very little, I'm afraid."very little trouble/patience/help etc: · I had very little energy left.· Changing the law will make very little difference.· It makes very little sense for companies to maintain large inventories these days.
such a small amount that you can hardly notice it: almost no trouble/patience/help etc: · Scientists have paid almost no attention to the new theory.· She supports the bill although she admits it has almost no chance of being passed.· The birth control campaign was begun 10 years ago but has had almost no impact in the rural areas.almost none: · "What progress have you made on your research project?" "Almost none."
also scarcely any especially British almost none at all: · She said she felt a lot of regret about leaving, but I felt hardly any at all.hardly any trouble/patience/help etc: · They closed down the whole department with barely any notice to the staff.· Mark is so lazy, he makes scarcely any effort to improve his work.
a very small amount of something, that you almost do not notice: · "Are you ready yet?" asked Hazel, with a touch of irritation in her voice.· For the first time a hint of tension had crept into their relationship.· After speaking to her for awhile, he began to detect a trace of a Southern accent.
formal a small amount, especially when you expect more: little trouble/patience/help etc: · Little progress was made during the negotiations.· The report offers little hope that the economy will improve any time soon.· There seems to be little chance of him coming home for Christmas.
a minimal amount of something is the smallest that is possible, so that it is not worth thinking or worrying about: · The new operating technique involves minimal risk to patients.· The impact of the sale on current employees should be minimal.· The crew had very little experience and were given minimal safety training.
a negligible amount of something is so small that it has almost no effect at all: · The damage done to his property was negligible.· Economists say raising the minimum wage would have a negligible effect on employment rates.· The chances of a healthy adult contracting the disease are negligible.
if you know, learn, say, hear etc next to nothing about something, then you know, learn etc very little about it: · I learned next to nothing at school - the teachers were awful.· My parents know next to nothing about the men I date.
a very small amount of a substance a very small amount, usually so that there is not enough to be useful, to be important etc: · There was no ink in the bottle and very little left in the pen.very little water/money/time etc: · Fish contains very little fat.· The area has a lot of deer, but very little water and not much open space.
/scarcely any especially British almost none at all: · Don't forget to order some more paper for the copy machine - there's barely any left.hardly any water/money/time etc: · The ferns manage to grow with scarcely any sunlight.· He was fifty years old and his hair still had hardly any gray in it.
such a small amount that you can hardly see it, use it etc: almost no water/money/time: · Potatoes have almost no fat, but they're very filling.· He had a longish, plain face with a straight nose and almost no hair.almost none: · "How much glue is left?" "Almost none."almost none of something: · By the time the dentist had finished almost none of the existing tooth remained.
if there is no rain, food, oil, etc to speak of , there is almost none and not enough to have any effect: · There had been no rain to speak of for ten weeks and the garden was dying.none to speak of: · There's no fuel oil left - none to speak of, anyway.
an amount so small that it is very difficult to see: · She had very little grey hair, with just a trace near the temples.trace of: · Police found traces of blood on the killer's shoes.· Tests have revealed traces of poison in his food.
most of an amount, group, or thing the largest number of people or things, or the largest part of something: · What most people want is a peaceful life.· Most restaurants open at 7.· Most evenings we just stay in and watch TV.· Most research suggests that health is related to social class.most of: · Most of the people I spoke to were very worried.· Alex spent most of his allowance on books.· I've lived here most of my life, so I know the area pretty well.
· He likes almost all kinds of popular music.· We got nearly all our food from the farm.· The bed occupied nearly all the space in the room.almost all/nearly all of · Nearly all of my clothes are too small now.· Almost all of the world's tropical forests are in developing countries.
more than half of the people or things in a large group: · A poll of Democrats shows that a majority support the President.the/a majority of: · In June the majority of our students will be taking examinations.· They claim their campaign is supported by a majority of residents.the vast/great/overwhelming majority (=far more than half): · The great majority of accidents in the Alps occur while climbers are coming down.· an education policy that will please the vast majority of parents
most of a large amount or number of something: · Throughout the Middle Ages, the bulk of the population lived in the country rather than in towns.· The bulk of the charity's income comes from private donations.
most of a period of time or of a distance, especially when the time or distance is too long: · It was the best part of a mile to the farm.· It'll probably take the best part of a week to sort it out.· I expect the whole procedure to take the better part of a morning.
the biggest part of something valuable or good that is taken by one person, group, or organization, so that others get less: · Sarah only ate a few bites of the dessert, so I got the lion's share.the lion's share of: · Why should the state get the lion's share of people's money?· His company currently has the lion's share of the market.
very likely to happen or be true · An early end to the dispute is now very likely.· "Do you think she's still in love with him?" "More than likely."· Victory for the German team now seems more than likely.very likely/more than likely to do something · Snow is very likely to spread across the region by the afternoon.it's very likely (that) · It's very likely that he'll be late -- he usually is.
especially written · The number of dead will very probably reach 2,000 by the end of the day.· The disease is very probably transmitted in water.
extremely likely to happen or be true: it is almost certain (that): · It is almost certain that the government will lose the next election.almost certain to do something: · Bartholomew's family is almost certain to appeal the court's decision.
very probably - use this when you have considered something and you are giving your opinion about it: · In all probability, parts of the church date from even earlier than the twelfth century.· She knew that, in all probability, he was seeing other women as well as herself.
spoken say this when you think it is extremely likely that something will happen or has happened: (it's)ten to one (that): · Stop worrying, Mum. Ten to one Liz has just gone round to a friend's house.· It's ten to one you'll get the job - you're perfect for it.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The story is almost certainly true. He’s almost as old as I am. Marsha visits her son almost every day. She’s almost blind in her right eye. The girl was almost certainly murdered. On a Sunday morning traffic was almost nonexistent. Dinner’s almost ready, but not quite. The silence of the countryside was almost tangible. The decision to appoint Matt was almost unanimous.
The story is almost certainly true. He’s almost as old as I am. Marsha visits her son almost every day.· I almost cried.
· I am almost ready.
· She has almost decided.
· It could almost be described as luminous.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She’s almost blind in her right eye.· It is almost certain that she will be given a prison sentence.· Prices are virtually certain to increase.
The girl was almost certainly murdered.· They are about equal in height and weight.
· He thought that winning would be almost impossible.
· I know almost nothing about it.
· There was almost no traffic.
On a Sunday morning traffic was almost nonexistent.· His collection included an almost perfect skeleton of an armadillo.· Her performance was near perfect.
Dinner’s almost ready, but not quite. The silence of the countryside was almost tangible. The decision to appoint Matt was almost unanimous.· These flaws could make the software virtually useless in a business environment.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· I said that this was almost certain but the process was rather slow.· And it is almost certain that no reporter will go down into the mines to find out.· Most important, the Federal Reserve and Greenspan are almost certain to keep interest rates stable.· Maintaining an inventory is almost certain to assure a higher loss payment.· It stunned Boro and their frustration turned to anger after being denied an almost certain penalty.· You are almost certain to get hundreds of Web pages to examine.· Male speaker Death and injury were almost certain.· The almost certain one is a third party candidacy by Ross Perot or even Pat Buchanan.
· But while axeheads from different societies may perform widely differing social functions, the axeheads themselves may be almost identical.· It has a bone handle and three blades, almost identical to the one my daddy used to carry.· Pollen was an almost identical diet and it still remains a most important prize.· A search through their genes reveals a set almost identical to those that help make the wing of a fruit fly.· Another almost identical box, with attached headphones, was moved over the ground and a continual tone was emitted.· The poor growers A and B showed almost identical increase.· An almost identical necklace appears in Poynter's watercolour Helen, painted in 1887.· In almost identical terms, constituency parties in the province and Britain have stepped up the pressure for a decisive Government move.
· Apart from being almost impossible to cut, second hand shop windows are usually of inferior quality.· But analysts noted that without knowing the impact of the big merger, it was almost impossible to make an accurate projection.· She tried to look past him, but it was almost impossible to see what or who was in the room beyond.· Voice over Indeed the task is becoming almost impossible.· The Worlds Edge Mountains are extremely tall and almost impossible to cross where they border the Empire.· It had to proceed through persuasion and encouragement - a difficult process with public-sector bodies, but almost impossible with major companies.· It was almost impossible to imagine Luke defeated and flattened.· That is all very well in theory but almost impossible to achieve in practice.
VERB· But it is extraordinary how one of those pianos prominently placed on stage almost becomes part of the action.· In the United States eugenics became almost completely discredited.· Facing Multiple Grief Sometimes the losses that we experience come so quickly one after the other that they become almost indistinguishable.· Demonstrating my attractiveness to a young intelligent woman in competition with young attractive males had become almost an obsession of mine.· It will give that tight West Coast strum with the bass strings becoming almost percussive.· He became almost quaintly obsolete, like the handle crank on the automobile.· Taping your own sound effects is another interesting part of video movie making: it can become almost a hobby in itself.· The lack of evidence of violence in the Neolithic period is so complete it becomes almost hard to believe.
· The rain fell almost horizontally, its bite as sharp as darts.· He stumbled on it, almost fell, then picked up the front of it and hustled after his friends.· He would wear a pair of shoes until they almost fell apart.· Carolyn rushed out, almost falling down a flight of stone steps.· When she finally met Lisa, she almost fell over.· Cardiff staggered and almost fell back against Barbara.· Intuit Inc. shares posted the largest decline in the index, falling almost 17 percent this week.
· He smiled at her, trying to look comforting; he was feeling almost as tearful himself.· I can almost feel the blazing sun, the blinding white beaches, although they are not in the picture.· I almost feel I've been sent here so they can teach me a lesson about life.· Why, then, this dark hint of dread, the first I have felt almost since I remember skiing?· Several times she felt almost caught up with the constant demands for her attention.· One can almost feel the discomfort such syncretic attitudes created in Longobardi.· In a strange way I felt almost embarrassed that such things were happening in my name.· She can cook for hours and feel almost complacent, she says.
· It seemed almost to speak to her.· There is a final item in the cascade of causes and consequences, a retribution for pollution that seems almost biblically apt.· Beside this, Britain's outbreaks of sleaze seem almost quaint.· Even so, it seemed almost too easy.· Everything, in fact, which it seemed almost impossible to find in one place in the City before.· The villain is an investor who kills with such glee that he almost seems corny.· It seemed almost impossible to many people that such tiny things as micro-organisms could have been fossilised at all.· It seems almost eerie that something so stunning can be so silent.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► somebody nearly/almost fell off their chair
nearly, but not completely or not quite: - She wrote: I almost fainted when I read your letter, confronted by that terrible mistake I had made.
- These were removed and - oh, sweet Lord, I nearly fainted!
Have you almost finished? Supper’s almost ready. It was almost midnight. Almost nothing was done to improve the situation. The story is almost certainly true. He’s almost as old as I am.almost all/every/everything Marsha visits her son almost every day.GRAMMAR: Word order• Almost usually comes before a main verb: · I almost cried.• Almost usually comes after ‘be’ when it is the main verb: · I am almost ready.• Almost comes after the first auxiliary verb: · She has almost decided.· It could almost be described as luminous. ✗Don’t say: She almost has decided.THESAURUSalmost not completely or not quite: · I’ve almost finished my essay.· It's almost lunchtime.nearly almost. Nearly is more commonly used in British English than American English: · I’ve been a teacher for nearly 10 years now.· It’s very nearly time to go home.not quite almost, but not yet: · ‘Is he 60?’ ‘Not quite!’· It’s not quite time to go yet.· I’m not quite ready yet.practically/virtually very nearly: · The room was practically empty.practically all/everything/everyone etc: · The frost killed practically every plant in the garden.· Virtually everyone had gone home.more or less/just about/pretty much especially spoken very nearly – use this when saying that the difference is not important: · All the rooms are more or less the same size.· His jacket was pretty much the same colour as his trousers.· The policy will benefit just about everyone.getting on for British English informal, getting on toward especially American English informal almost a particular time, age, or period of time – used especially when you are not sure of the exact time, age etc: · It’s getting on for 10 years since we last saw each other.· ‘How old’s Diane?’ ‘She must be getting on toward 50.’close to almost a particular number, amount, or time – used especially when the number or amount is surprisingly large or the time is very late: · It was close to midnight by the time we arrived.· They’ve spent close to $1.3 billion on the project.approaching/nearing almost – used when a number or amount is still increasing or a time is getting nearer: · The unemployment rate was nearing 20%.be on the verge of (doing) something to be very close to doing something: · She was on the verge of tears (=almost crying).· I was on the verge of giving up.· They were on the verge of making a decision.be on the brink of something to be very close to an extremely bad situation: · The two countries are on the brink of war.· The company was on the brink of bankruptcy.