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单词 not
释义
notnot /nɒt $ nɑːt/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb Word Origin
WORD ORIGINnot
Origin:
1300-1400 nought
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
  • "Are you worried about your exams?'' "No, I'm not.''
  • David's not stupid. He knows what's going on.
  • I don't smoke.
  • Is anyone not going to the party?
  • It's not a computer -- it's a word processor.
  • It's not boring -- it's really interesting.
  • Most of the stores do not open until 10 a.m.
  • This period of history is not well documented.
  • We're not going on holiday this year.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • Despite various friends trying out the route and checking the text, the book is not up to date.
  • I am not surprised when he continues in an upward direction.
  • Let's hope it is not wasted.
  • No service charge and tipping is not necessary.
  • The speciality, not to be missed, is fresh fillet of haddock.
  • There was nothing, not even that hotel sitting room, to compare.
  • These came into force January 1989 but they are still not widely known.
  • Unlike nearly every microlight aircraft I've flown to date, the power plant up front was not out of the Rotax stable.
Thesaurus
Longman Language Activatornot
· It's not boring -- it's really interesting.· David's not stupid. He knows what's going on.· This period of history is not well documented.· We're not going on holiday this year.· Buying a yacht isn't as expensive as you might imagine.· "Are you worried about your exams?" "No, I'm not."· It's not a computer -- it's a word processor.
not - use this especially when you do not want to state a negative quality directly: · I wouldn't recommend the fish - it's not very nice.· He isn't very clever, is he?· The figures were different, but at the time we thought it wasn't very important.
not very, or not very much: · It was a good film, not particularly exciting, but enjoyable.· Birmingham isn't a particularly beautiful city.· I didn't particularly want to go out.
not completely, but almost: · The paint's not quite dry yet.· We haven't quite finished yet.
not very or completely: · She's not exactly fat, but she is slightly overweight.· What they're doing is not exactly dishonest, but it's not completely honest either.
use this to say that a negative statement that has just been made about someone is also true about someone else: neither am I/neither does she/neither have we etc: · "I've never been to Australia." "No, neither have I."· Tom didn't believe a word she said, and neither did the police.
stronger expressions meaning not
use this to emphasize that something is definitely not true: · She's not at all happy about the situation.· The children didn't seem to be at all frightened.· No, no, no, that's wrong. That's not what I meant at all.
formal use this when you want to say strongly that something is not true: · It is by no means certain that you'll get your money back.· It's difficult, but by no means impossible.· It's not clear by any means where the money is going to come from to fund this project.
also not a bit especially British use this to say strongly that something is not true, especially when you would expect it to be true: · You're not in the least sorry, are you?· My essay wasn't a bit like yours.· "Was she annoyed?" "Not a bit! She was delighted."fnot the least (bit): · Henry wasn't the least bit worried.
if something is in no way affected by something else, it is definitely not affected by it in any way: · This will in no way influence our original decision.· The damage is very slight and in no way reduces the value of the painting.
use this when something is completely untrue, impossible, different etc: · His arguments are not remotely convincing.· It was a stupid remark, and not remotely funny.· She didn't seem remotely interested in anything I had to say.
use this to emphasize that something is definitely not true, and if someone thinks it is true they are being a little stupid: · They only won 1-0 - hardly a great victory!· It's hardly surprising he's upset, considering the way you've treated him!· He's hardly a world chess champion - you should be able to beat him.· All these similarities could hardly be due to chance.
use this to say that someone is not good at something: · I occasionally put up a few shelves, but I'm not exactly the world's greatest handyman.
an informal expression meaning to not have the skills, qualities etc of the person or type of person that you have mentioned: · Of course, I'm no expert but that wall really looks like it's leaning over.· Stephanie knows what she's doing. She's no fool.· He's quite a bright boy I suppose, but he's no Albert Einstein.
use this to emphasize strongly that something is not possible, likely, true etc: · I can't see any use in us talking about that idea at all - it's simply not practical.· For as long as she could remember she'd just never been interested in marriage and children.
not one thing and not the other
use this to emphasize that you are talking about both of two people or things when you make a negative statement about them: · Neither side in the dispute seems willing to make any compromise.neither of: · Neither of their children had shown any particular talent for music.
use this when you want to make a negative statement about two people, things, actions etc: · The company's chairman described the criticisms as "neither accurate nor fair".· Neither France nor Britain will be represented at the conference.· She neither accepted nor rejected his offer immediately.
use this about something that does not have enough of the qualities of either of two things, so that is not satisfactory or definite in either way: · Having had one Protestant parent and one Catholic parent, I was really neither one thing nor the other.· The play attempts to blend high tragedy with comedy, but just ends up being neither one thing nor the other.
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.
almost 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.
a little tired/sad/older/bigger etc
· I'm feeling a little tired, I think I'll go upstairs and have a rest.· When you're a little older, you'll understand why I'm doing this.· "Do you feel sad that you're leaving?" "Just a little."
also a (tiny) bit British informal a little: · I think David was a bit disappointed I forgot his birthday.· I'm a little bit cold. Do you mind if I turn up the heat?· Aren't you a bit young to be going to nightclubs?· I tried on the dress but it was just a tiny bit small.
a little, but not enough to be important or to notice: · Florida has a slightly larger population than Illinois.· Sean's car is a slightly different colour.· Lynn's daughter is only slightly older than mine.
only a little and not as much as you might have expected: · We should be there soon. It's not much further.· His son's not much younger than I am.not much good: · I'm not much good at explaining things.
only a little or not at all: · The house isn't very old. It was built in the 1990s.· I still go running, but not very often.· "Was the bike expensive?" "Not very."· The President was not very happy that the information had been leaked to the press.
ways of saying no to a question, request, or suggestion
use this when someone asks you a question or makes a request or suggestion: · "Are you Italian?" "No, I'm Spanish."· "Shall I help you?" "No, no -- I can do it on my own, thanks."the answer's no: · If she asks to borrow any more money, the answer's no!
use this when what someone has suggested is not at all true, or when saying you do not mind at all if someone does something: · "Your boys are keen on sport, aren't they?" "Not at all - just the opposite in fact."· "Is my radio bothering you?" "Not at all -- I'm quite enjoying it."· "I'd like to be on my own for a while. Do you mind?" "Not at all," she said kindly.
use this when saying that you are sorry that you cannot do something that someone has asked you to do, do not have something someone has asked you for etc: · "Are you coming to the barbecue tomorrow?" "No, I'm afraid not. I've promised to go and see my Mum."· "Have you got change for £20?" "No, I'm afraid not."
use this to say no very strongly, when you think what someone has suggested or asked is clearly unlikely or stupid: · "Are you serious about Sam?" "Of course not, we're just good friends."· "Don't tell anyone else, will you?" "Of course not."
use this when someone asks if you want to do something, if you like something etc, and although you say no you do not have very strong feelings about it: · "Do you want to come to the movie with us?" "Not really. I think I'll just stay in and read."· "But you quite enjoy your job, don't you?" "Not really, no. I feel I could do with a change."
use this especially when forbidding someone to do something or when you are annoyed or shocked that they have suggested something: · "Can I have some wine?" "Certainly not -- you're far too young!"· "Are you thinking of resigning?" "Certainly not."
informal use this when you are saying very strongly that you refuse to do something or when you are sure that something cannot possibly be true: · I'm not going to work late on Friday night! No way!· "Do you think we can make the trip in two hours?" "No way! It'll take more like four."· I don't believe he stole the money -- no way!
informal use this when you think that what someone has asked or suggested seems stupid or dangerous and you would definitely not consider doing it: · "Want a ride on the back of my motorcycle?" "You must be kidding."· "Are you going out with Jake?" "You must be joking! I wouldn't go out with him if he was the last person on earth."
when there is not any of something
not any of something, or not any people or things: · I was going to offer you some cake, but there's none left.· "Coffee?" "None for me, thanks."none of: · None of her friends live in London.· None of my clothes fit anymore.· Parents complain that none of the money set aside for the school has been spent on textbooks.none at all/none whatsoever/absolutely none especially spoken: · "Do you have any objections to the plan, John?" "None at all."· "The mayor has no tolerance for violent criminals, absolutely none," said a spokesperson.· Under the Constitution, the President has no legal authority -- none whatsoever -- to commit the United States to war.
none: · You won't find any, I'm afraid I haven't been shopping yet.· There aren't any good book stores in town.· We won't be getting any extra-large shirts until tomorrow.· The clerk said he didn't have any change.· There won't be any time for questions after the lecture.not any of: · I haven't read any of Henry Miller's novels.not any more/not any left spoken: · She asked for a copy of the "Boston Globe" but there weren't any left.
not any or not one: · There are no buses on Sundays.· a very plain room, with no pictures on the wall· Do you mind having black coffee? There's no milk.· We've had no rain for three months.· There was no room in the car for anyone else.· I knocked on the door, but there was no reply.· He just started hitting her for no reason.· Some athletes have no intention of getting an education while they're at college.no more: · There are no more classes until Monday.
· There's nothing in this box.· Many older people don't know anything about computers.· I switched the TV on, but nothing happened.· "What are you doing?" "Nothing."nothing new/serious/exciting etc · Nothing exciting ever happens in this place!nothing to eat/say/do etc · There was nothing to do, so we just watched TV.· She hasn't had anything to eat all day.nothing at all · "Do you know anything about fixing cars?" "No, nothing at all."nothing else (=nothing more) · As he listened, he understood the word "shimai", which means "sister", but nothing else.nothing else to say/do etc · I had nothing else to do so I cleaned the kitchen.· We will make an announcement next week; we have nothing else to say until then.
especially American, spoken nothing: · She knows absolutely zilch about marketing.· The federal government does zilch to help struggling farmers.
none - use this when the situation is very unusual or unexpected: · "Do you have any batteries?' "Not one. We've completely sold out."· According to the report, of the 10 best cities in which to do business, not one is in California.not one of: · We examined over a hundred machines and not one of them was working properly.
: not even one · It all happened so fast, I didn't see a thing.· Usually there were voices to be heard coming from the living room, but tonight there was not a sound.· There wasn't a scrap of food in the house.not a dickybird British informal (=nothing at all) · I haven't heard a dickybird from him all morning.
if the amount of something is nil , there is none of it and you feel disappointed about it: · With their best player injured, England's chances of winning the game were just about nil.· Refreshment facilities for long-distance bus passengers are virtually nil.
British informal nothing or not any of something - this is an impolite expression which people use especially when they are angry: · I hope she does some work at home. She does bugger all in the office.· You'll get bugger all thanks for helping them.
what you say when you refuse to do something
· "Can you come and help move these boxes?" "No, sorry, I'm busy."· "You're sick - you need to stay in bed." "No, I have to be at this meeting."
spoken use this to firmly refuse to do something and say that nothing will change your mind: · "Why don't you phone him and apologize.'' "No way -- I haven't done anything wrong!''· No way am I going to look after all three children on my own!· There's no way I'm going to put up with rudeness like that!
spoken use this to tell someone that there is no chance at all of you doing something: · "Maybe things will sort themselves out in time." "Forget it, the relationship's over."· As for the idea of going on holiday together, forget it!
British spoken use this when you think that what someone has asked you to do is stupid or dangerous: · "Are you coming to that lecture this evening?" "Not likely - there's free beer at the Queen's Arms tonight!"
British spoken that's final American spoken used after you have refused to do something, in order to show that you will not change your mind or discuss your decision: · I'm not coming, and that's flat. Now stop bothering me.· There's no way I'm helping Ted move again, and that's final.
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
(=used to emphasize what you are saying) The changes were not at all surprising. I do not like his attitude at all.
 The food is not very good there.
(=only a few, only a little etc) Not much is known about the disease. Not many people have read the report.
 Most of the hotels are not that cheap (=they are fairly expensive).
 No one knows if the story is true or not.
 I hope to see you tomorrow, but if not, leave me a message.
 ‘Is Mark still sick?’ ‘I hope not.’
 Shakespeare was not only a writer but also an actor.
 Not only do the nurses want a pay increase, they want reduced hours as well.
 Not a single person said thank you.
 Sarah has a new boyfriend – not that I care (=I do not care).
 Janice had lost some weight, not that it mattered (=it did not matter).
· They do not have any money.
· I didn’t know anybody.
· I try not to make mistakes.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
 The evidence she gave to the court was not strictly accurate (=not exactly accurate).
 ‘Did you see him?’ ‘I’m afraid not (=no).’
 Not long after the wedding, his wife became ill. The family moved to Hardingham in June 1983, and Sarah’s first child was born soon after.
 She died not long afterwards.
 The system was not only complicated but also ineffective.
(=not completely) I wasn’t altogether happy about Mike staying over. The results were not altogether surprising.
 Life is not exactly a barrel of laughs at the moment.
 He set off down the road with the rest of us following close behind.
 You had better not tell Oliver (=it is not a good idea).
 You’re not a bit like your brother.
 Am I cross? No, not a bit of it.
 I’m not in the least bit interested in whose fault it is.
 The police are not always entirely blameless (=are guilty of doing something bad) in these matters.
· The prisoners knew there was little chance of escape.
· Sam’s reasons for leaving were not entirely clear.
(=it is deliberate)· It is no coincidence that the Government made the announcement today.
(=not correct according to some standards)· The grammar in this sentence is not strictly correct.
· Second hand clothes don’t cost much.
(=cost nothing)· Using the Internet, you can make phone calls that don’t cost a penny.
 There are more than two thousand of us, not counting the crew.
 I’d love to be a professional writer, but I’m not giving up my day job just yet.
 ‘Do you reckon Margot will be there?’ ‘Definitely not.’
 Madonna’s career is not dissimilar to (=is quite similar to) Cher’s.
(=quite soon)· We’re expecting a final decision in the not too distant future.
(=not have a bad effect on something or someone)· One or two chocolate cookies won’t do you any harm.
(=no doubt)· There’s not the slightest doubt in my mind about it.
(=used to say that you had never expected something to happen)· Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would win the competition.
 You’re late. It’s just not good enough (=not satisfactory or acceptable).
informal (=much less than you need) We only had $500, and that was nowhere near enough to buy a new camcorder.
(=no evidence at all)· There is not one scrap of evidence against our client.
(=used to emphasize that something is unusual)· Staying married for life seems to be the exception, not the rule these days.
 Why does Eric get to go and I don’t? It’s not fair!
(=close to being correct) I guessed it would cost $100 and it was $110, so I was not far out.
 ‘Were they satisfied?’ ‘I fear not.’
 Both men were found guilty of illegally entering the country.
 He found that running long distances was not his forte.
 It’s not funny (=don’t laugh), Paul; poor Teresa was nearly in tears.
(=quite soon)· We’re planning to go there again in the not too distant future.
 We climbed the mountain in three hours, which wasn’t bad going.
 He was found not guilty of the death of PC Jones.
(=something is not worth doing because it involves a lot of problems)· I’m not going to argue with him – it’s just not worth the hassle.
 Negotiators aren’t holding out much hope of a peaceful settlement.
informal (=not very good) Some of the tracks on the record are great, but others are not so hot.
 I think I can fix it tomorrow. If not, you’ll have to wait till Friday.
 I’m not sure if this is the right road or not.
(=difficult, and perhaps impossible)· Obtaining funding for the film will be difficult, if not impossible.
spoken (=something is not the most important problem or part)· Price alone is not the issue.
· The jury found him guilty of murder.
 She likes Biology, but she’s not too keen on Physics.
(=to not laugh, even though something is funny, because it would not be polite)· ‘Are you all right?’ Amy said, trying not to laugh.
 My youngest boy has not left my side (=has stayed near me) since his daddy was killed.
(=not less) Your second point is no less important. It’s a common problem but this doesn’t make it any the less disturbing. I know he’s done a dreadful thing, but I don’t love him any the less.
 Let’s not jump to conclusions – he might have been delayed.
 The pressure at work continued without any let-up.
spoken (=very probably) As likely as not, the meeting will take place in the village pub.
informal also not by a long chalk British English (=not at all or not nearly) He had not told Rory everything, not by a long shot.
(=think that something bad has happened or will happen because of something’s appearance) We should turn back now. It’s getting dark and I don’t like the look of those rain clouds.
 I don’t think it matters much what you study.
 Maybe they’re right, but maybe not.
 We bought the rug in Turkey, if I’m not mistaken.
 ‘What are you doing?’ ‘Oh, not much, really.’ There’s nothing much we can do to help.
 The car may not be much to look at (=it does not look good) but it’s very reliable.
 It’s the best book he’s written, but that’s not saying much (=none of his books is very good).
· The village is not far away.
 We’ve saved some money, but it’s not nearly enough.
· I could not find anything suitable.
(=ignore something or someone)· The other passengers took no notice of what was happening.
(=not know or understand something at all)· He had not the foggiest notion how far he might have to walk.
· You must not smoke anywhere in the building.
 He’s going to do it whether we like it or not.
 The problem of racism is not peculiar to this country.
 There has not been a peep out of them since bedtime.
 ‘I don’t think you understand.’ ‘Well, perhaps not.’
 Henderson pled guilty to burglary.
· We'd earn a lot of money, but that's not the point.
 ‘Is she going to send it back?’ ‘Probably not, no.’
 Dinner’s almost ready, but not quite.
 ‘I think you’d better ask her.’ ‘I’d rather not (=I do not want to).’
· Frege’s theory is not entirely satisfactory.
(=be found to have faults when examined)· Such arguments do not stand up to careful scrutiny.
British English (=they have a lot of it) Your little girl’s not short of confidence, is she? They’re not short of a few bob (=they are rich).
 There’s not a shred of doubt (=no doubt at all) in my mind that we will win.
 He does not have a shred of evidence (=he has no evidence at all) to prove his claim.
informal (=not sleep at all)· I didn’t sleep a wink last night.
 He is just so not the right person for her.
 We went along silently on tiptoe so as not to disturb anyone.
(=no one) I promise I won’t tell a soul.
 The night was dark and still, and there was not a soul in sight.
(=be completely quiet)· He lay still and didn’t make a sound.
 His new novel is not for the squeamish.
 I can’t ask a man out – it’s not my style (=it is not the way I usually behave).
· ‘What are they?’ ‘I’m not entirely sure.’
· I’m not exactly sure when the funeral is.
· Make a list of any words or phrases whose meaning you are not too sure about.
· By now, we were not at all sure where we were.
 She does not take kindly to criticism (=reacts badly to criticism).
something is no easy task (=something is difficult)· Recruiting experienced people is no easy task nowadays.
 The coach was not terribly worried about his team’s poor performance.
(=not trust someone at all)
 It is not uncommon for students to have bank loans.
(=not to be started without serious thought, for example because it is difficult)· It was not a voyage to be undertaken lightly.
 Hague’s announcement was not entirely unexpected.
 The landscape is not unlike that of Scotland.
 These problems are not untypical (=they are normal).
· The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
· The jury took only twenty minutes to return a verdict of guilty.
 There were times when I wondered whether or not we would get there.
 I didn’t know whether to believe him or not.
 Look, Kate, I’m calling the doctor, whether you like it or not.
 ‘I won’t be able to come into work tomorrow.’ ‘Why not?’
 It’s surely not beyond the wit of man to come up with a solution.
(=not very worried)· Jerry did not sound unduly worried at the prospect of going to jail.
 It’s a very old machine so I shouldn’t think it’s worth anything.
 ‘Is supper ready?’ ‘No, not yet.’
Phrases
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
  • I do not like his attitude at all.
  • No, no, no, that's wrong. That's not what I meant at all.
  • She's not at all happy about the situation.
  • The changes were not at all surprising.
  • But better in the nick of time than not at all.
  • Everything is preserved perfectly or not at all.
  • For example, the abstract either comes first or not at all.
  • He's not at all well.
  • I see her again, very straight, dressed in light colors, not at all showy.
  • She pushes down her dress but is not at all embarrassed.
  • Their steady, reliable earnings growth attracts investors primarily when the economy is growing slowly or not at all.
► not the sharpest tool in the box/shed► – not!
  • He was required to pay not only the price but also a carriage charge.
  • Her desire for independence set her apart not only from the lives of most of her friends but from their under-standing.
  • In reality, public companies not only compete against other: they also have to guard against the ever-present risk of takeovers.
  • It was far too dangerous to remain where he was, not only for him but for everyone else as well.
  • Stores were distributed in pony treks that carried not only ammunition and food but also mail and the force's own newspaper.
  • The material world is not only the source of man's arts, but the reason for them.
  • This has guaranteed not only resources but also access to national databases not always open to others.
  • But not a one of them was able to stay awake through the night, so they all were beheaded.
  • This change is not a one way process.
  • Bringing past legends to life is not that easy but Simon Cadell is astonishingly successful as Coward.
  • Himself, and not Paul, and certainly not that kid out there.
  • It is not that such a fuel can not be produced, so much as the scale of production required.
  • It was the wealth of the new entrepreneurs, not that of their workmen, which was everywhere celebrated.
  • Moustaches were allowed, not that they did much for a few who grew them.
  • Stanford was a 28-22 loser at Arizona Stadium, and it was not that close.
  • We thought Charlie was not that close to the camp.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • I wasn't about to let him pay for it.
► not be above (doing) something► absolutely not!
  • On no account should you attempt this exercise if you're pregnant.
  • You shouldn't sign the contract unless you are sure you understand it. Not on any account.
► not know someone from Adam
  • There were a few things in his story that didn't add up.
  • Why had she left the note? It just didn't add up.
  • Although these sonatas do not add up to music of enormous consequence, Schultz and Schenkman bestow royal treatment upon them.
  • His promises do not add up.
  • Now at first glance these figures do not add up.
  • The Opposition can not add up.
  • The Racal twins: their share prices just do not add up Outlook.
  • The right hon. Gentleman's priorities do not add up and he knows it.
  • They were suspicious about my past, my age and a picture of me that simply did not add up.
  • But I regret I can not agree with some of the reasoning in the judgments.
  • I certainly would not agree with the assertion that everybody lies.
  • I did not agree with Reagan on the abortion issue, but he never made me feel threatened because I was pro-choice.
  • I do not agree with his analysis about the Government looking after number one and therefore encouraging people to commit crime.
  • Mr. Mitchell With respect, I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman.
  • Not surprisingly, both Reagan and Gorbachev said publicly that they did not agree with me about this.
  • There is little point in consulting people because they may not agree with you.
  • You may not agree with the ratings, but it does give pause to reflect on various destinations.
  • And of course he was not all there in his head.
  • But this is not all there is to communication.
  • It was as though he was not all there, Jack thought.
  • But not all that much more, not at the actual scene.
  • Charley is not all that enamored of Paris.
  • How they get almonds, then, is not all that marvellous a story.
  • I understand she was found not all that far from her parents' house?
  • In this she was not all that different from other people.
  • Most processes, at the frontline level, are not all that complicated.
  • My husband's not all that bothered one way or the other.
  • The geographical context is not all that matters, but it is the most significant.
  • I don't know why you keep chasing her around - she's not all that.
  • As you probably know, even the cleanest looking carpet is not all that it appears.
  • But language is not all that conventional and matter of fact.
  • But the ordinary ground of palpable reality and time-bound day-to-day existence is not all that firm anyhow.
  • Issue 100 is not all that far away.
  • Obviously enough, action is not all that is required for thought.
  • The geographical context is not all that matters, but it is the most significant.
  • The little secret no one lets out is that what one does after putting on the badge is not all that exciting.
  • The woe that is in marriage is not all that bad really.
  • But this market has not yet developed, and when it does Pippin will not be alone in it.
  • A last round of the rooms wouldn't come amiss.
  • A little humility in the medical debate would not go amiss.
  • A little thank you to the Ombudsman would not go amiss. --------------------.
  • A tankful of petrol wouldn't come amiss.
  • Adding a few seconds to your dev.time to allow for the stop, etc. wouldn't go amiss.
  • An apology wouldn't go amiss.
  • In this climate, a down-home bear hug and attendant back slapping probably wouldn't go amiss.
  • This remained a most important consideration, but some relaxation of the original prohibition would not go amiss.
► not amount to much/anything/a great deal etc► not another ... !
  • And a T'ang is not just any man.
  • I didn't want to get back inside, not any more.
  • Perhaps yes I did love her once but not any more.
  • She used to wonder where he'd been in the meantime, but not any more.
  • There is no profit to be made there, Guillamon, not any more.
  • These procedures are not any more likely to be successful beyond this limit.
  • Well, maybe not now, not any more, now the results were so clear.
  • Well, not any more than usual.
  • Well, not any more, but he did once when I was a kid.
  • I had some sympathy at the time, but not anymore.
  • She is not anymore in the background.
  • Used to crawl out on the roof in that little pink wrapper, but not anymore.
  • We used to do that, but not anymore but they collect car keys from anybody who drives.
► not anything like/near
  • Ultimately, I decided that this was not getting us anywhere, but I was her last hope.
  • We want young people to be aware that this is something that will not get you anywhere.
► not be going anywhere► not anywhere near
  • I'm trying to set up a meeting, but I don't seem to be getting anywhere.
  • A crash diet will leave you hungry, you will binge and you will not get anywhere.
  • But the reality is that 99% of artists working in London will not get anywhere near the shortlist.
  • Still not getting anywhere in Northern Ireland, but then, who is?
  • They were left with the feeling of not getting anywhere.
  • We're not getting anywhere like this.
  • When you're not getting anywhere with some one, you can choose to switch streams.
  • Which makes the documentation all the more poignant when you know the project did not get anywhere.
► not know your arse from your elbow
  • And it's not as if I've gone off it within myself.
  • It's not as if I have a sister or brother to worry about.
  • It's not as if I haven't got any.
  • It's not as if I worked for a large network news show.
  • It's not as if there was a stash of notes that he could extort from Stone and take away with him.
  • It's not as if we're like bus drivers or air traffic controllers.
  • Plus, it's not as if the Barn Burners, Helm's current band, is a household name.
► not be averse to something► not in my backyard
  • "How are you?" "Oh, not bad."
  • "How was the exam?" "Oh, not too bad. I think I passed."
  • "What was the food like?" "Oh, not bad - better than last time."
  • That's not a bad idea.
  • You know, that's not a bad idea.
  • A sweetheart, this little lady, not bad legs either.
  • All the news out of Texas is not bad.
  • But for all that, you are not bad.
  • But for an afternoon's work, not bad at all.
  • Doing something you feel obligated to do is not bad.
  • It was not bad at all ... Emma: Not bad at all!?
  • Not bad, not bad I've been sorting out my council tax George.
  • Not an ale, but not bad.
  • The roads weren't too bad.
  • At first, things were not so bad.
  • Compared to how I feel, how I look is not so bad.
  • She began to think that perhaps village life was not so bad.
  • The Ky is not too bad.
  • The policing here is not so bad.
  • The Vatican, I must say, is not too bad when it is full and the resonance is reduced.
  • The weather was not too bad.
  • We played really well and while the other contenders still had to play each other, our run-in was not too bad.
► not have a bad word to say about/against somebody► not somebody’s bag
  • He used to tell the worst lies without batting an eye.
  • It would not be itself a thing.
► not have a bean► not know/care beans (about somebody/something)► not a bed of roses
  • Well, believe it or not, we're getting married.
  • And so, believe it or not, he puts on the magic shoes and limps off to the funeral.
  • But, believe it or not, neither are the networks.
  • Lives in the next village, believe it or not.
  • Name's Virginia, believe it or not.
  • Now this happened to me again, believe it or not, a year or two later.
  • She put on her pale-blue linen Jaeger dress and, believe it or not, a little hat.
  • The eventual headliners, believe it or not, were Mud.
  • This week, believe it or not, another, almost identical saga began.
► not a bit/not one bit► not be as black as you are painted
  • For six years, the Government have not taken a blind bit of notice of the Audit Commission's report.
► not make a blind bit of difference
  • Residents didn't even blink when the chemicals company set up business in town.
  • And yet Stillman had not even blinked.
  • But in the stagecraft of dethronement, Kingsley had not taken the bait, had not even blinked.
  • I hold my finger in front of her nose; still she does not blink.
  • It seems to us so extraordinary, yet the storyteller does not blink an eyelid.
  • Mine felt as if they had not blinked for hours.
  • She found that she could not even blink under the harsh glare.
  • We found the village easily enough, though anyone travelling in the area in a Porsche had better not blink.
  • What if Khrushchev had not blinked?
► not bother yourself/not bother your head
  • He is not bothered in the slightest by the dark or confrontation.
  • I have challenged the prospective Labour candidate in Harrow, West to do so, but he has not bothered to reply.
  • Or has he not bothered to work it out?
  • Selfishly, I felt hurt that he had not bothered to get in touch with me.
  • The National Capital Planning Commission, peering far into an imaginary future, is not bothered with such real-life difficulties.
  • The purpose of the purchase, according to the magazine, was to ensure that the Chiracs were not bothered by neighbours.
  • We are also not bothered about being famous or number one in the charts.
  • You are not bothered whether the house is detached or semi-detached, but you do not want to live on an estate.
► something is not brain surgery
  • You've got to promise not to breathe a word to anyone.
  • He did not breathe a word.
  • But I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
  • He had died somewhere on the way to his next case, and Quinn could not bring himself to feel sorry.
  • I debated with myself but in the end, I could not bring myself to pack up and leave.
  • Rain could not bring herself to put this to the test.
  • She could not bring herself to fall down the house stairs.
  • The New-York Historical Society couldn't bring itself to do that.
  • The teakettle made a brisk whistling sound, but John Wade could not bring himself to move.
  • This little subterfuge the guard put into motion somehow he could not bring himself to do it.
► not brook something/brook no something► not go a bundle on something/somebody
  • Labour may not be in the business of re-connecting with the past, but its attachment to the future is still confused.
  • It's not something I care to discuss.
  • Wyatt's old friends didn't care to visit, with a baby in the house.
  • At least, not precisely in the act of anything Mrs Dallam would not care to know about.
  • But I have to make one comment you might not care to hear: A woman does have a choice.
  • De Gaulle apparently did not care to give ministers an opportunity to make important decisions without his supervision.
  • He did not care to know how many female holly trees a single male could bring to berry.
  • He suspected Hubert had erred in some way, but did not care to ask.
  • I would not care to live in the vicinity of such a device.
  • The poets did not care to linger in that gloom-hidden abode.
  • Unfortunately, Roth did not care to focus on broader and more important issues about the fate of the seized-assets program itself.
  • He did not gain many public commissions, because he did not care for architectural competitions.
  • I did not care for him.
  • In addition, a reader for whom a happy ending is essential may not care for some of Joan Aiken. 4.
  • Let us wash our hands of those who do not care for us.
  • My husband and the minister wives who come to the party do not care for the rice cake.
  • Now the whole country is run by a myopic bourgeoisie with a mentality that does not care for the people.
  • Some people do not make good managers, or do not care for management tasks.
  • The dean's daughter did not care for shell-fish, so they were forced to start dinner with caviare.
► not stand/have a cat in hell’s chance (of doing something)► not catch something
  • And they are certainly not blind to their difficulties or weaknesses.
  • But he would be twenty next birthday, a young man certainly, but not mature - certainly not mature.
  • Growing deafer, moreover, as they had certainly not been deaf as babies.
  • It is certainly not a substitute for good old-fashioned interviewing or communications skills.
  • Managers may think that a team is doing the work, but it is certainly not a team in any cohesive sense.
  • Nugent is wild on stage but certainly not the stereotypical rock musician.
  • The pattern is certainly not one of total closure or exclusion.
  • These recordings are interesting, but certainly not inventive.
► too many chiefs and not enough Indians► children should be seen and not heard
  • After nine years of marriage to her I did not have a clue myself.
  • And material riches do not come into it.
  • Besides, shagging had not come into it.
  • His position did not come into it.
  • Logic does not come into it at all.
  • Andre's so in love he doesn't know whether he's coming or going.
► not somebody’s concern/none of somebody’s concern
  • And apologists for Labour's refusal to organise in Northern Ireland can not in all conscience describe themselves as democrats.
  • I have a hard time separating one statement resulting from torture from another and I can not in good conscience do so.
  • Yet as Dunkers they could not in conscience support the use of force or pay disrespect to the Crown.
  • Not content with past creations, Leiber is always introducing new designs.
  • But he was not content with mere physical compliance.
  • Fortunately, politicians were not content with merely deploring such practices; they legislated.
  • He had got under her skin, and after half an hour she went home alone, not content with second-best.
  • Mr Ashdown is not content with imposing his version of stability as a temporary expedient, a regrettably necessary short-term tactic.
  • Some accountants, however, are not content with the way they spend their holiday time.
  • Stirling, typically, was not content with just a small raid to prove the potential of his decimated force.
  • They're not content with it, cos there's no meaning.
  • Yet he was not content with management.
► not be much cop
  • "Are you serious about Sam?" "Of course not, we're just good friends."
  • "Don't tell anyone else, will you?" "Of course not."
  • Cooley sees some of it in everyone, of course not the same amounts in every person.
  • I mean, no, of course not.
  • No, of course not, how could you?
  • No, of course not, it was just a feeling she liked, a tiny, private freedom.
  • Of course not all women are traditional.
  • Of course not, you dummy.
  • Of course not, you were too young.
  • Two serious actors, though of course not at their most serious here.
► something is not all/everything it’s cracked up to be
  • Game shows just aren't my cup of tea.
► cut no ice/not cut much ice
  • Athletes who can't cut the mustard don't make the team.
  • When a director reaches a certain age, he just can't cut the mustard anymore.
  • Most of the kids who start here are young and haven't worked before. Some just can't cut it.
  • Players who can't cut it soon realize it and quit.
  • We could make a lot of excuses, but excuses won't cut it.
  • Lightly trim the grass using a sharp mower if the surface is looking rough, but do not cut it short.
  • So why not cut it down like they do?
  • He hasn't done a damn thing today.
  • For opening doors and not giving a damn about what anybody else has to say to it.
  • I think their nonchalance about not caring or not giving a damn about record sales is just not true.
  • It was nature that had turned her grey, she said, and she did not give a damn.
  • My ideal would be to not give a damn as much as possible.
  • This time she yelled his name, not giving a damn if she looked a fool, and dived after him.
  • The cults in this country aren't worth a damn, we all know that.
  • After all, it's not every day you win an arena referendum and a game against the defending champion Lakers.
  • It's not every day a young woman pulls a gun on a burglar.
  • Well, it's not every day, is it?
  • It's not every day that a helicopter sits down in your backyard.
  • After all, it's not every day you win an arena referendum and a game against the defending champion Lakers.
  • It's not every day a young woman pulls a gun on a burglar.
  • Well, it's not every day, is it?
► not hear a dickybird
  • Bradley doesn't know diddly about running his own business.
► not have a dog’s chance
  • There wasn't by a dry eye in the house after Marvin finished his graduation speech.
  • If you don't get the job, it's not the end of the world.
  • All I've done is offend one or two of the wrong people, it's not the end of the world.
  • It's very upsetting, but it's not the end of the world.
  • You won't always get it right, but it's not the end of the world if you don't.
  • Among the existing pseudo-entities, ghosts and unicorns are not especially dangerous.
  • But regarding 2 this teacher was not especially charismatic - in fact more self-effacing than naturally the centre of attention.
  • He is not especially comfortable on the reward dimension, at least at the higher levels.
  • He is not especially fond of killing animals but, as a countryman, he sees culling deer as a necessity.
  • Not especially gracious, but squat and workmanlike, plodding with tenacity from port to port.
  • Once again, they were not especially oriented to meeting strategic corporate needs.
  • The housewives in question found that they were not especially fulfilled.
  • The Leonids and Andromedids are not especially noted for their displays of very brilliant fireballs, but some other streams are.
  • Opinion polling is hardly an exact science.
  • Therapy is not an exact science because everyone responds differently.
  • Diagnosing power in organizations is not an exact science.
  • The truth is that eating is not an exact science and never will be.
  • "Dan's spent about a million dollars fixing up his house." "Not exactly. It was just a few thousand."
  • I wouldn't bother asking Dave -- he's not exactly Einstein.
  • She's not exactly fat, but she is slightly overweight.
  • Well, they didn't exactly rush over to help us.
  • What they're doing is not exactly dishonest, but it's not completely honest either.
  • But, with a few exceptions, they are not exactly rousing.
  • Everything, it says, is not exactly crystal clear.
  • Her tone was not exactly friendly, but its harshness was of bemused disbelief rather than jealous suspicion.
  • I was already being patient with the way he smelled, not exactly like the perfume department.
  • It is not exactly arcane knowledge.
  • Rebecca Lobo may be off globetrotting with the Olympic team, but the cupboard down there in Storrs is not exactly bare.
  • The publicity may not exactly have gone to his head but it certainly set fire to his ambition.
  • With a mouth like that, she's not exactly going to fade into the background is she?
  • I don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about.
  • Litigation is not for the faint-hearted - or the half-hearted.
  • Playing foreign markets is not for the faint-hearted.
  • Well, starting your own business is not for the faint-hearted.
  • A dollar doesn't go very far these days.
  • This pizza won't go far if everyone wants some.
  • But it is more likely that he will not go far enough.
  • In general, though, the managers felt the training did not go far enough.
  • Republicans criticized him for not going far enough.
  • The Bundesbank has warned that monetary union will fail because Maastricht did not go far enough on political union.
  • The management changes may not go far enough, analysts said.
  • The privatisations also help, even if they do not go far enough.
  • The symposium also featured a couple of members of Congress who believe the farm reforms did not go far enough.
  • They had not gone far when again the clerk heard that long, moaning howl.
  • Not so fast! You'll scrape the paint!
  • Not so fast, guys. One win doesn't make a championship season.
  • Both were expanding their departments as well, though not so fast as Ranieri.
  • But not so fast, or so the town of Oro Valley decided August 30.
  • It's also big, but not so fast or user-friendly despite its curious system of organizing bits into folders.
► fear not/never fear
  • I just haven't been feeling myself lately.
  • He had not felt himself a part of what governments decided.
  • He had not felt himself bound by their rules - basically, he hadn't felt himself.
► quite a few/a good few/not a few► not give a fig/not care a fig (about/for something/somebody)
  • Everyone there - not to put too fine a point on it - was crazy.
  • The dishes we tried tasted, not to put too fine a point on it, like gasoline.
  • I do all the work around the house - Frank never lifts a finger.
  • King Charles did not lift a finger to save her.
  • The Government are not lifting a finger to help the economy of Renfrewshire.
► not lay a finger on somebody► not have the first idea about something► not flinch from (doing) something
  • I don't have the foggiest idea what his address is.
  • Before I go on, some of you may not have the foggiest what a fanzine is.
  • A tall, fast-talking southerner whose accent still lingers despite her years in the north, Porter does not suffer fools gladly.
  • Mr Fallon has been described as the kind of man who does not suffer fools gladly.
  • She was a forceful personality who did not suffer fools gladly, but her sternness was accompanied by grace and Victorian courtesy.
► not put a foot wrong
  • Cancun is not for hardened travellers.
  • However, it is not for me or you to presume upon the gentleman's intentions.
  • In a news release, Spreckels's board reaffirmed its position that the company is not for sale.
  • In fact take my body who will, take it I say, it is not for me.
  • Job sharing is not for the faint hearted: it demands complete commitment.
  • Such outright activism is not for every think tank.
  • The money is not for top-heavy administration but for research.
  • This business is not for him.
  • All the work in this approach must go into a persuasive account of what it is for reasons to be conclusive.
  • How important it is for them to build theories out of what they see and think.
  • I can tell him how important it is for us to have a home of our own.
  • If one can notice the absence of something one must already know what it is for things to be absent.
  • Look how difficult it is for women to get on in the medical or legal profession!
► not forgetting something► not give a fuck► I’m not being funny (but)► something must not go any further► not be fussed (about something)
  • Is there a ghost of a chance that any of these stories are true?
► not give something a second thought/another thought
  • As David said, the union simply does not give a shit.
  • For opening doors and not giving a damn about what anybody else has to say to it.
  • I think their nonchalance about not caring or not giving a damn about record sales is just not true.
  • It was nature that had turned her grey, she said, and she did not give a damn.
  • My ideal would be to not give a damn as much as possible.
  • This time she yelled his name, not giving a damn if she looked a fool, and dived after him.
► have nothing/not much/a lot etc going for somebody/something
  • Voice over John and Vicki Strong say that's not good enough.
► no good/not much good/not any good► not let the grass grow under your feet
  • "She wasn't happy?" "I guess not."
  • Dope, is it? I guess so.
  • The nutritive arguments still stand and I would not make a habit of eating lots of white bread.
  • I'm not in the habit of lying to my friends.
  • He sat at his desk, not a hair out of place, and turning a pencil over in his hand.
  • He seemed stern and austere and never had a hair out of place.
  • Joel never has a hair out of place.
► not turn a hair► not harm/touch a hair of/on somebody’s head
  • I'm sure it will be a fantastic wedding. Eva never does anything by halves.
  • He comes from a family that does not do things by halves.
  • But I prefer to see the glass as half full, not half empty.
  • It's not half so mysterious when you've got a horde of parents dragging screaming kids around it.
  • Likewise with Relevance: if B wants three bolts, he wants them now not half an hour later.
  • Not three, not half a dozen, not a rifle platoon.
  • So he was not half as earnest and solemn as she had thought him.
  • The game could really have been over by about 60 mins, if not half time.
  • Yet not half so tiresome as a February expedition across the fens.
  • The pizza here isn't half bad.
► not half as/so good/interesting etc (as somebody/something)► the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing► not do a hand’s turn► not a happy bunny
  • Fortunately, none of the hostages came to any serious harm.
  • I'm sure Craig's old enough to catch a train into town without coming to any harm.
  • If you keep quiet, you'll come to no harm.
► mean no harm/not mean any harm
  • As a result, they need to be used on a daily basis, even though you are not having any symptoms.
  • But she wasn't having any, and he really wasn't handling that.
  • But the bloke next to him wasn't having any of that.
  • But they weren't having any of it.
  • He'd come and visit, but I wasn't having any trouble with him and life was pleasanter.
  • I told her to bring Maggie up to the house to stay, but she wasn't having any of that.
  • Lizzy, though, was not having any of it.
  • She is not having any success.
► not hear the last of somebody
  • I didn't have the heart to tell my daughter we couldn't keep the puppy.
  • "Are you going to stay very long?" "Not if I can help it."
► not be/feel/seem herself
  • I haven't seen hide nor hair of him in months.
  • He had not felt himself a part of what governments decided.
  • He had not felt himself bound by their rules - basically, he hadn't felt himself.
  • Although he did not hold with lies, there were occasions when they were the best option.
  • Wall Street is not holding its breath waiting for a new deal.
  • Dry herbs don't hold a candle to fresh ones.
  • His account of events simply doesn't hold water.
  • It may seem logical, but his argument doesn't hold water.
  • But there are times when this theory just does not hold water.
  • This argument just does not hold water.
  • "Do you think she's lost?" "I hope not!"
  • "I promise I won't do it again." "I certainly hope not," replied her mother.
  • "Will it rain any more?" "I hope not."
  • A: I hope not a siege.
  • I hope not because Britain is essentially a decent place to take refuge and find acceptance.
  • I hope not, because I can't see it myself.
  • I confess that I hoped not.
  • My constituents who are in prison - I hope not for too long - are becoming increasingly disaffected.
  • Naturally I hope not, and the probability is that we're exercising ourselves over nothing.
  • Red for good luck, and I hoped not for blood.
► not give something houseroom► be in no hurry/not be in any hurry (to do something)► somebody will not be doing something (again) in a hurry
  • And even with his size he didn't know what to do with Braden standing over him and not giving an inch.
  • I was just a novice and he was fairly frightening, not giving an inch until he had sounded you out.
  • Once on the ground again she tried pulling the horse, but still it would not budge an inch.
  • Anyone in the region faces a not inconsiderable risk of getting the disease.
  • He was a not inconsiderable artist, illustrating many of his own books.
  • In this study there was the not inconsiderable problem of a white researcher seeking out black people.
  • Lennox Lewis and the rest of boxing await the answer with not inconsiderable interest.
  • The pursuer himself will also require to contemplate the not inconsiderable pressure of having to give evidence and face cross-examination.
  • The rewards offered to those who did so were not inconsiderable.
  • There is also the chance of picking up a not inconsiderable amount of loot.
  • What little there was had gone to pay off Sir Nelson's own not inconsiderable service debts.
  • Which was, she congratulated herself, a not inconsiderable amount of information.
  • And not infrequently when certain rules or teachers displeased them, the students would walk out of school on strike.
  • Carmelite churches are not infrequently associated with the cult of the Black Virgin.
  • Harsh discipline was the child's lot, and they were often terrorized deliberately and, not infrequently, sexually abused.
  • Not only this, but the town was not infrequently some distance away from the school.
  • The consequences of violating this rule had always been unhappy in the long run and not infrequently in the short.
  • They appear to have not infrequently fallen short of their duties.
  • This attitude, which I have not infrequently observed, is cold and inhumane.
  • It was none of her business and it mattered to her not one iota.
  • There is not an iota of evidence that such standardised testing has improved education anywhere in the world.
  • We have heard not one iota of evidence or heard any defense the suspect may have in this case.
  • But Lewis devises a strategy, pursues it, and cares not a jot if the crowd does not approve.
  • Do not jot down figures which have little basis in fact.
  • It was at once apparent to Joan that, whatever changes of circumstance had taken place, he had changed not a jot.
  • Legally this matters not a jot.
  • Older he undoubtedly is, but he is not a jot wiser.
  • Six out of 10 voters are still not buying and three weeks of slogging seem to have made not a jot of difference.
  • There was not a jot of humour in the man.
► it’s not for somebody to judge
  • A., not just any burg.
  • And not just any old envelope, but a special luxury brand with a griffin watermark.
  • But Microsoft was not just any software developer.
  • But Starr is not just any prosecutor, and this is not just any case.
  • But then Tim Robbins is not just any old movie star.
  • Mr Hellyer was not just any adult.
  • Which is good because this is not just any old brothel.
  • I can't leave just yet. I've still got a couple of e-mails to send.
  • He told me he was just visiting to let me know he would come for me soon, but not just yet.
  • In due course she would dispose of it, but not just yet.
  • No problem, she was told, you can have it - but not just yet.
  • Tom Tavey was nice, but no, not just yet.
► we're not in Kansas anymore
  • I'm not Janey's keeper.
  • I manage to earwig a conversation between, and I kid you not, two members of Napalm Death.
  • It really was scary - I kid you not.
  • Of jaundiced varnish, wood-smoke, grease, candle-wax, cigarette smoke and fly-shit. I kid you not.
  • Nancy doesn't take kindly to being corrected.
  • A bachelor who did not take kindly to children under any circumstances, he found the atmosphere at Four Winds appalling.
  • As will have appeared previously, judges do not take kindly to abbreviations in speech.
  • Because they are human beings and not two-legged souvenirs, Aborigines do not take kindly to having their pictures taken.
  • But she does not take kindly to criticism.
  • Neon Tetras when young do not take kindly to fresh water.
  • Presumably killers did not take kindly to amateur detectives.
  • The whips, however, would not take kindly to a woman set among them.
  • Wood, which is really a craftsman's material, does not take kindly to the inevitable abuses of an emergency.
  • Before Sinai, one could argue, the people had the excuse of not knowing any better.
  • This species is not known to be vicious.
  • It is not known to be propagated vegetatively at all and can only be reproduced from seeds.
  • But Fen wasn't to know that.
  • But Sally was not to know that and she was mortified.
  • Lynsey wasn't to know that, and Courtney's boast added to his aura of respectability.
  • Only Janet wasn't to know, because she'd feel awkward if she did.
  • She was not to know that Tina, sticking to her principles, had long ago slept with her cousin Jarvis.
  • The blood on my face was not mine - though she was not to know this.
  • The joint Chiefs were not to know.
  • You weren't to know, but the boy's simple.
  • "Did anyone call for me?" "Not that I know of."
  • Answer, not that I know of.
  • If you're going to start an argument with Alex I don't want to know about it.
  • You'd think the government would be concerned about people sleeping rough, but they just don't want to know.
  • And accustomed now to not knowing why, did not want to know it.
  • Holmes did not want to know too much about the people in his cases.
  • I did not want to know what was going on in the world.
  • I did not want to know.
  • She never asked because she did not want to know if they all had to be burned.
  • The employers, although they are expected to contribute, do not want to know.
  • Whatever it was, Lisa did not want to know.
► not know what hit you► it’s ... , Jim, but not as we know it
  • The resistance movement will not lack for funds.
  • Contemporary social theory, however, does not lack for attempts at elaboration.
  • Saro-Wiwa, who espoused nonviolence, did not lack for enemies.
  • The Bohemian-born composer was one of the first touring pianists and his travels did not lack for drama or even farce.
  • Last but not least, I would like to thank my wife for her support.
  • Last but not least, let me introduce Jane, our new accountant.
  • And last but not least, I thank Begona Canup for her interest in the book.
  • Social Security has reduced poverty, and last, but by no means least, it has been a good deal for participants.
  • And last but not least, the baby of the family.
  • And last but not least, there are all those damn kids sharing files and scaring the media moguls shiftless.
  • And, last but not least, its growth and production has a huge impact on the environment we live in.
  • And, last but not least, my cousin Bishop Malduin of Kinrimund with, no doubt, his stepson Colban.
  • And, last but not least, they might re-read the scores while listening.
  • Bookings made less than four days in advance must be paid for not later than fifteen minutes before the performance.
  • Copy for inclusion should reach the Editor not later than 14 February 1994.
  • I have circulated the request to the various Regional Council service departments asking them to respond not later than 18 December 1992.
  • Nominations must be supported by three members of the National Trust and must reach the Secretary not later than 15 June.
  • Nominations should be sent to the Director-General to arrive not later than 30 November.
  • The missed approach procedure must be commenced not later than this time. 6.
  • This must happen once in each Parliament, usually not later than thirty-six months after the last general election.
  • When the whole cake fell off the table, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
► lead nowhere/not lead anywhere► not be in the same league (as somebody/something)► not the least/not in the least/not the least bit
  • There are many factors which limit productivity; not least is employee education.
  • Alex Ferguson will have loved this, not least because questions had started to be asked of his team and star names.
  • And it annoyed her intensely, not least of all because she still felt a long way from figuring him out!
  • And last but not least, the baby of the family.
  • I didn't relish this: not least because it meant that I didn't break my silence until the cheese course.
  • Like all good music it speaks of love, not least of the medium itself.
  • Nevertheless it requires separate assessment, not least because it drew on certain areas of experience not directly dominated by the monarch.
  • If you didn't sign a contract, you won't have a leg to stand on.
  • Those kids don't have a lick of common sense.
► not on your life► not in this lifetime
  • King Charles did not lift a finger to save her.
  • The Government are not lifting a finger to help the economy of Renfrewshire.
  • You're going to the dentist, whether you like it or not.
► as like as not/like enough► not likely!► more than a little/not a little
  • The old corner drugstore is not long for this world.
► no longer/not any longer
  • Edward's not much to look at, but he has a great personality.
► all is not lost
  • I can't get a hold of that book for love nor money.
  • And you still can't get a good daily woman now to clean, not for love or money.
  • "Why don't you move to a bigger house?" "I'm not made of money, you know!"
  • I can't buy you shoes as well - I'm not made of money!
  • You know, it isn't all sweetness and light here, not by any manner of means.
► not up to the mark► not the marrying kind
  • Mike Hardware was the kind of private eye who didn't know the meaning of fear.
  • A dictionary is useless unless one already knows the meanings of many words.
  • For instance, we assume he would satisfy our behavioural criteria for being some one who knows the meaning of the word bank.
  • He had a lot of things representing other things that no one but he knew the meaning of.
  • Men like Luke Hunter didn't know the meaning of permanence - or fidelity.
  • Regarding exercises: before attempting to answer a question do make sure you know the meaning of all the words in it!
  • So I know the meaning of credit.
  • Some were struggling behind-but they did not really know the meaning of struggling.
  • Willi didn't know the meaning of restraint, not in any aspect of his life.
  • It's difficult, but by no means impossible.
  • It's not clear by any means where the money is going to come from to fund this project.
  • It is by no means certain that you'll get your money back.
  • Catriona decided not to mention that she hated cigarette smoke.
  • Gary Lineker would have looked great in that, not to mention Gazza.
  • Harrowing for the patient, not to mention the expense incurred.
  • He decided not to mention the brooch.
  • It has the support of the farmworkers' unions, not to mention soil technicians and mental-health professionals.
  • Jack's father had asked him not to mention the accident in front of the younger children.
  • Shaver said the culprit may face a prison sentence, not to mention a $ 3. 4 million firefighting bill.
► not merely/rather than merely
  • I never would have guessed in a million years!
  • Never in a million years did I think we'd lose.
  • He was rich as Croesus, something he had never expected to be, not in a million years.
  • I still had to find Wally and attempt to explain what I would never in a million years be able to explain.
  • It is based on a true story so outrageous that it would never in a million years have passed muster as fiction.
  • No parent is going to believe this pigtail story, not in a million years.
  • The real reason for her lack of promotion, she knew, would never in a million years occur to him.
  • You'd never in a million years see a dancing man in a field in the country.
  • Helmut didn't mince any words in his criticism of the department.
  • Blue does not mince words, however.
  • Let's not mince words, Cathal Coughlan is the most compulsively watchable frontman in Britain today.
  • That was the great thing about country music, it did not mince words.
  • I was trying to study, but my mind just wasn't on it.
  • I don't mind driving if you're tired.
  • If you don't mind waiting a few minutes, we can check our records for you.
  • San Diego's nice, I wouldn't mind living there.
  • He did not mind being flippant about New York, but disliked to hear any one else take the same tone.
  • He might not mind being placeless, but I mind.
  • It had been worse than she had expected, but she had not minded it.
  • It was remarkable the way people sought her out, often not minding that their conversation was public.
  • Just as long, that is, as the masses do not mind interminable delays.
  • The girls were late at breakfast, but Mrs Roberts did not mind.
  • The world was giving to him, he did not mind giving back.
  • He did not mind being flippant about New York, but disliked to hear any one else take the same tone.
  • He might not mind being placeless, but I mind.
  • It had been worse than she had expected, but she had not minded it.
  • It was remarkable the way people sought her out, often not minding that their conversation was public.
  • Just as long, that is, as the masses do not mind interminable delays.
  • The girls were late at breakfast, but Mrs Roberts did not mind.
  • The world was giving to him, he did not mind giving back.
► not think/believe etc for one minute
  • A tour of our wonderful capital city is not to be missed.
  • During the day, the Acropolis is not to be missed and souvenirs can be bartered for in the Flea market.
  • It is not to be missed.
  • Make a note of it: The Dish is not to be missed.
  • This show will be even better than the last one and is not to be missed!
  • Safety and alcohol do not mix.
  • Again the same point emerges: high social standing and systematic training did not mix.
  • Ideally this water should be wrung out into another container and not mixed with fresh rinse water.
  • If proof was needed that soccer and the City do not mix, this messy situation is it.
  • It is not the first time that Chamonix officials have decided youth and mountains do not mix.
  • Mrs Flaherty and the nans did not mix in the same circles.
  • Note that you can not mix endorsement marks, ie. you can not accept some and reject others at the same time.
  • Sink mixers have divided flow so that the hot and cold water do not mix until they have left the tap.
  • The behavioural patterns are so different that they do not mix well.
  • His hand had not wavered for a moment.
  • His leader did not believe for one moment the protestations of innocence.
  • I do not concede for a moment that this is a devolution measure.
  • I would not suggest for one moment that they existed here.
  • Neither team will half-step, not even for a moment.
  • "Dinner's ready." "And not a moment too soon!"
  • The ambulance finally arrived, not a moment too soon.
  • It was not a moment too soon.
► I’m not made of money► not give a monkey’s► never/not in a month of Sundays
  • Alex doesn't work here any more.
  • At one time doctors recommended red meat as part of a healthy diet but not any more.
  • Do what you like. I don't care any more!
  • I didn't want to get back inside, not any more.
  • Perhaps yes I did love her once but not any more.
  • She used to wonder where he'd been in the meantime, but not any more.
  • There is no profit to be made there, Guillamon, not any more.
  • These procedures are not any more likely to be successful beyond this limit.
  • Well, maybe not now, not any more, now the results were so clear.
  • Well, not any more than usual.
  • Well, not any more, but he did once when I was a kid.
  • The house is no more than ten minutes from the beach.
  • The insurance covers not more than five days in the hospital.
  • Although their investigations are supposed to take no more than two weeks, they often stretch to several months.
  • But it is no more than a seed in 1215.
  • Send in a good quality tape with no more than four songs.
  • Some were no more than motionless translucent blobs.
  • The crystal was no more than a glimmering outline in the darkness.
  • Their bosses view them as no more than glorified typists and they are denied career opportunities.
  • They are no more than about 20% efficient.
  • They were no more than survivals from the past.
► not so much ... as ...
  • First, it is apparent that illiterates will not have much success in giving written answers to a printed questionnaire.
  • It is an option that is not very often used, either through choice or simply because it is not much publicised.
  • Not much happens in the novel.
  • Places had not changed much and the family still lived at Temple Stephen in Derbyshire.
  • Purdue has not had much success in the postseason, its final eight finish in 1994 being its best in some time.
  • The problem was, there was not much follow-up.
  • The U.S. industry survey did not estimate how much of the drugs it classified as therapeutic were given to healthy animals.
  • Today, there is a reluctance to prosecute young men who are not much older than the girl herself.
  • Despite the forecast, it wasn't much of a storm.
  • I'm not much of a dancer.
  • A small blemish on the tape of a song or movie may not be much of a problem.
  • Working conditions may not be up to much, and as a casual employee you can be fired at short notice.
► there is not much in it
  • I never received so much as a reply.
  • The car survived the accident without so much as a dent.
  • He had never had a day of sickness, not so much as a cold.
  • How could we have put their bag into ours without so much as a single check?
  • I, who had traveled all that long day on that train without so much as a cheese in my pocket?
  • It is a matter of tone, not so much as content.
  • So far in Rajasthan, I had not so much as nodded to another female.
  • That he had dumped her without a word, without so much as a goodbye.
  • We got our six appearances, and not so much as one drop-by or mix-and-mingle extra.
  • When they go straight to bed without so much as ordering a toasted sandwich or spending money at the bar.
  • I didn't dare move a muscle. He would have shot me.
  • I was so scared, I couldn't move a muscle.
  • She hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.
  • The performers didn't move a muscle.
  • It suddenly occurred to them that he had not moved a muscle since they came in.
  • They will not move a muscle for at least another month or two.
► not feel/be myself► nowhere near/not anywhere near
  • Bankside activity has reached such a pitch, even at night, that the carp will not come near the margins.
  • Her fiance, the man who was supposed to love her, had not come near her since her father's death.
  • My wife would not come near me.
► somebody will not go near somebody/something
  • But the writing is not nearly as tight nor as taut as it should be.
  • But this is not nearly enough.
  • His 21 errors were a tad high but not nearly as worrisome as his 127 strikeouts.
  • Not the least reason for this, of course, was simply the fact that the hierarchy was not nearly as fully developed.
  • On the other hand, I found law school boring and not nearly as much fun as college.
  • Researchers found that thin people also experienced food cravings, but not nearly as much as those who were overweight.
  • Several students get through adequate, but not nearly as theatrical, renditions.
  • We saved money, but not nearly as much as expected.
  • "Are women getting better roles in movies?" "Not necessarily."
  • Bigger is not necessarily better.
  • That is not necessarily true.
  • But even if the court rules that there is no such federal right, it would not necessarily affect the Oregon law.
  • But no I hadn't, not necessarily.
  • Chapters, not necessarily in this order, on: Agriculture, forests and fisheries.
  • Country Jacobitism and legitimism were not necessarily incompatible.
  • Does he accept that some people prefer to prepare for international emergencies and not necessarily be involved in the local scene?
  • Neural networks can produce very good answers, though not necessarily optimum solutions, in remarkably short times.
  • Other facets of self-esteem may be poor, but are not necessarily so.
  • Recollections of past events do not necessarily shape policy, but they certainly influence the thinking of the individual who shapes policy.
  • Not dad, not on your Nelly!
  • That kid is nothing if not noisy.
  • But Yeltsin is nothing if not a risk-taker.
  • He was nothing if not vain.
  • Herbert Wadlough is nothing if not reliable.
  • Shelley's prose is nothing if not inspired and inspiring.
  • The plan was nothing if not complicated.
  • The Suffolk farmhouse was nothing if not practical.
  • The World Wide Web is nothing if not a participatory medium.
  • "Tell me a story." "Not now, Daddy's working."
  • People used to respect teachers, but they don't now.
  • When I was younger I spent hours lying out in the sun but not now.
  • A man quite simply can not now father a baby unless his wife is fully and deliberately agreeable.
  • And if not now, when?
  • Before 1914, one could talk like that without sounding false or ridiculous, but not now.
  • But not now and they don't understand.
  • Groin kicks are not now allowed, so the old requirement of a narrow stance has relaxed somewhat.
  • Ironically, that bookmaker, who traded from Easter Road, is not now active in the field.
  • Milosevic could not now, after such a reverse, order such actions.
  • Once the sound would have made her nervous, but not now.
► of course not/course not
  • Hits us below the belt as often as not.
  • In fact, as often as not, customers were more interested in the software than the hardware.
  • In the small coal communities, the pit was as often as not the sole source of wage-earning incomes.
  • Instead, I follow my country's football progress as often as not alone.
  • It's the men now, as often as not, who hear the biological clock ticking loudest.
  • Lies, as often as not.
  • The farm worker has himself contributed, though as often as not by leaving the industry rather than by joining a trade union.
  • Young people do not want to live in them, when as often as not work means agriculture or nothing.
  • Beyond that, the gossip is that he is not on speaking terms with his best player, quarterback Troy Aikman.
  • But that wasn't on the agenda, was it?
  • But the sound was not on.
  • He is a veteran campaigner against the screening system, but at 76, time is not on his side.
  • She wasn't on the plane and West Mercia fraud squad have asked Interpol to investigate.
  • She wasn't on the wooden horse or in the yard or in the tack room.
  • The federal building, however, is not on the market.
  • Those who are not on the spot will get their impressions firstly through television and radio coverage and then through newspapers.
► never once/not once
  • Tom is not one to show his emotions.
  • I never was one to collect a bunch of guitars like some people do.
► not/never be (a great) one for (doing) something
  • His falsity and hollowness are not just the opposite of the true and the wholesome, but threaten to undermine it.
  • He was surprised, there was not an ounce of fat on him, but he had shed five pounds.
  • Under their chestnut coats there was not an ounce of fat and their muscles moved without effort.
  • Not to be outdone by the girls, the boys' team also won its second team title.
  • Although only fragments remain, Dunseverick manages not to be outdone in the legend stakes.
  • Bob Dole, the front-runner, was not to be outdone.
  • King Charles, not to be outdone, then made the abandoned wife a duchess, the title to die with her.
  • The Tramroad Company, not to be outdone, illuminated some of their own cars both inside and out.
► it’s not over until the fat lady sings► not worth the paper it is written on/printed on► not a particle of truth/evidence etc
  • "You don't like cats very much, do you?" "No, not particularly."
  • Birmingham isn't a particularly beautiful city.
  • I didn't particularly want to go out.
  • It was a good film, not particularly exciting, but enjoyable.
  • Jon isn't particularly worried about money.
  • Other writers will make different choices, and that in itself does not particularly worry me.
  • So that leads me to think that these sorts of events are not particularly uncommon.
  • The climate, in most cases, is not particularly conducive to individual creativity.
  • The questions were not particularly well answered.
  • True, they were not particularly large, but they were keeping their shape well.
  • Unfortunately the news at the moment is not particularly good.
  • When I was a kid, I was not particularly good in school.
  • With this rap on your head, you were not particularly eager to meet the boss.
► not pass somebody’s lips► not be a patch on somebody/something
  • It wouldn't cost him a penny to go to college here.
  • The best collection I ever knew had cost its owner not a penny.
  • We will carry you to San Francisco on the train, not a penny of expense to you.
► not have a pot to piss in
  • But it is not my place and, frankly, I am not in the mood for a party.
► not to put too fine a point on it
  • The Seahawks don't have a prayer of winning the Superbowl.
  • Boxing White Hopes like Cooney do not have a prayer of toppling Tyson.
  • I'm not prepared to let them take my business without a fight.
  • Are you sure you want to come in? It's not a pretty sight.
  • Afterwards I visited the boys and they were not a pretty sight.
  • All directors, including Spielberg, grow up, and in this film the result is not a pretty sight.
  • He is not a pretty sight.
  • It's not a pretty sight to finish in a classic fire and fall position.
  • It is not a pretty sight to see people so hurt.
  • What these portraits give you is a glimpse of Lowry's psychic state, and it's not a pretty sight.
► not just a pretty face
  • Sorry, the car's not for sale at any price.
  • Greens are right to take positions in government, but not at any price.
  • It's not my problem if she won't listen to reason.
► not pull any/your punches
  • "Are you ready?" "Not quite."
  • "Is he 60?" "Not quite!"
  • Give me five minutes - I'm not quite ready.
  • He didn't say it quite that way, but that's what he meant.
  • I'm not quite sure how the system works.
  • It's not quite red, it's more like a maroon color.
  • It's not quite time to go yet.
  • She hasn't quite finished her homework yet.
  • That's a good answer but it's not quite correct.
  • The orbits of the planets are almost circular, but not quite.
  • The paint's not quite dry yet.
  • We haven't quite finished yet.
  • But that's not quite the point.
  • Figures are fabulous Well ... not quite.
  • Indirectly, perhaps, but not quite that openly.
  • It was not quite the end of the world as we know it, but it was close.
  • Later, they were not quite able to fathom this themselves; they sifted through the facts with grave purpose.
  • Not quite right, not quite plain enough or narrow enough, but getting there.
  • The weather was not quite as nice as on our two previous trips, but it kept dry.
  • Three other wanderers, not quite so dazed, allowed Billy to tag along.
  • But it is not quite what it seems.
  • Only his shoes seemed to be a little too pointed - not quite what men one knew would wear.
  • So Feuerbach's sensuous anthropology, much praised even by Karl Barth, is not quite what it seems.
  • Somehow we get the feeling this is not quite what Tucson Mayor George Miller had in mind.
  • That is not quite what we suggested, which was that it should have regard to affordability.
  • The whole situation was very unusual and not quite what I expected it to be.
  • They are not quite what I should have expected from a man like Serafin.
  • This is not quite what was expected.
  • For insider dealing does not lack victims but rather, credible plaintiffs.
  • For others, syllable and character represent at most not a word but rather a morpheme, the smallest unit of meaning.
  • However, the foreign exchange earnings on tourism did increase in 1989, not from IR£150m but rather by this figure.
  • Sometimes, however, the diagnosis is not hidden but rather softened.
  • The AFL-CIO said the ads are not partisan but rather aim to press Congress to address the needs of working families.
  • The local medical men did not object, but rather commended them for their cheapness.
  • What mathematicians want from infinitesimals is not material existence but rather the right to use them in proofs.
  • "Are you hungry yet?" "Not really."
  • "But you quite enjoy your job, don't you?" "Not really, no. I feel I could do with a change."
  • "Do you want to come to the movie with us?'' "Not really. I think I'll just stay in and read.''
  • It's not really up to me to judge that they are the best ever.
  • Jim had not really woken up for his breakfast and was happy to curl up in the back again.
  • Lisa always knew she did not really want her baby adapted, and before she was even born had decided against it.
  • Mr Steve George should not really care what the status of the building is.
  • Striking was not really getting us anywhere.
  • The man is big, white, overweight but not really fat.
  • The Najadat were in agreement that in fact the people did not really need an imam.
  • Unfortunately the bits in between are hard work and ultimately are not really worth the bother.
  • But if we think that, we have not reckoned with the mischief of the compiler.
  • But the Gentlemen had not reckoned with a Bastide newly heartened by glorying in Westbourne's ignominy.
  • But they had not reckoned with Lord Robertson.
  • Clearly, the government has not reckoned with the Internet and transborder data flow.
  • He had not reckoned with the fact that the second charge of canister could not be fired.
  • That was fine, but I had not reckoned with the excitement the case aroused in the popular press.
  • Carter said she wouldn't pay one red cent of her rent until the landlord fixed her roof.
► not have the remotest idea/interest/intention etc
  • Life-ways are opened up which are not remotely possible, even in analogous terms, to any other species.
  • The verb is spontaneous, fluid and not repeatable; the adjective is calculated, static and repeatable.
  • But I will not rest until I ensure that this never happens again to other young people.
  • He will not rest until he has undone you altogether.
  • Yes, sir, the vicious Canuck will not rest until the Republic is lying in its own blood and gore!
  • None of her explanations rang true.
  • One of the jurors said that Hill's explanation just didn't ring true.
  • There was something odd about her story, something that didn't ring true.
  • But this would only be a story, and would not ring true.
  • Frankly, it just does not ring true.
  • Something does not ring true ... but what can we do?
  • Stories that she lightheartedly tipped him off his surfboard do not ring true of Diana who was totally in awe of him.
► something is not rocket science► there’s not enough room to swing a cat
  • Our marriage hasn't been a bed of roses.
► not have two pennies/halfpennies/beans to rub together► not a sausage!► not very savoury/none too savoury
  • Better than Alex O'Neal's offering, but that's not saying much.
  • But that is not to say he does not feel afraid.
  • But that is not to say that Sierra Leone is not worth saving.
  • But that isn't to say that doing research is like breathing - you do it all the time without realising.
  • However, that isn't to say that male writers have it easy.
  • I have authorised his scheme, but that is not to say it will ever come about.
  • It does not exclude anything; but that is not to say that it can attain everything.
  • Both men wield wonderful, not to say mythic, influence to this day.
  • That's not to say that all the tracks will be jazz-heavy.
  • That is not to say that he was not interested in spending it.
  • That is not to say that Reagan was not content to see socialists replaced by conservatives in the natural course of events.
  • That is not to say that the quality of information upon which decisions were made and discretion exercised was always adequate.
  • This is not to say that all criticism is unjustified.
  • Which is not to say they were an unending pleasure.
► a lot/something/not much etc to be said for (doing) something► not have much to say for yourself► not be your scene
  • Diagnosing power in organizations is not an exact science.
  • The truth is that eating is not an exact science and never will be.
  • They did not scruple to bomb innocent civilians.
  • Dumont does not scruple to show the naked corpse, left on the edge of a ploughed field.
► not give something a second thought/without a second thought► not give something a second glance/look
  • "Are you sure they'll let us walk on their land?" "I don't see why not."
► not see somebody for dust► not see the wood for the trees► not see that it matters
  • What does Ron see in her?
► not in any shape or form
  • As David said, the union simply does not give a shit.
► somebody is not shy about (doing) something► be at somebody’s side/stay by somebody’s side/not leave somebody’s side
  • Stay here, and don't let the baby out of your sight.
  • There was not a single person in sight.
  • By the hunting season in the following year, not a single survivor of the last group could be found.
  • I know of not a single surgeon who ever expressed any regret over these women or apologized to one of them.
  • In this light, a novel is not a single discourse, but a complex of many discourses.
  • Not one, my dear, not a single solitary one.
  • Perhaps not a single transcript of his testimony goes unmarked by sarcasm, impatience, or outburst.
  • The truth is that not a single one of the official groups organising protests is planning violent action.
  • There's not a single burger on the menu.
  • There was not a single light on in the house.
  • Certainly, such views as these do not sit comfortably with managerialism and are equally at odds with restricted professionality.
  • He had never before been accused of stealing and it did not sit well with him.
  • One might think a hockey fan would not sit easily at a sewing machine piecing together patches for a quilt.
  • The adornment, thought Eloise smugly, would not sit well amidst so much blubber.
  • The closures, which began late last month, does not sit well with many of the regulars.
  • The populist vision of a peasant landholding democracy does not sit easily with alternative visions of women's rights.
  • The volatility and their non-guaranteed status do not sit comfortably with the official line linking the two benefits.
  • This conviction did not sit well either with regimental soldiering or with Whitehall.
  • But whether the parent with the yellow flowers supplies the egg or the pollen makes not the slightest difference.
  • I tried closing my eyes; it made not the slightest difference.
  • There was now not the slightest doubt that Hsu was decaying and losing her structural integrity.
  • I challenge you to name an artist who is completely original, and not in the slightest bit derivative.
  • Of course, Alexander would not in the slightest deny the more traditional view.
  • Shoddily made and prone to virtually instant disintegration, it's not that cheap and it's not in the slightest cheerful.
  • A lot of them were here, because a free meal is not to be sneezed at.
  • An additional payoff not to be sneezed at is that lecturers, forced to integrate, begin to rethink their subject!
  • In the days of rock bottom underground pay, 20 was not to be sneezed at.
  • The price, however, is not to be sniffed at: £17.50!
► not get a sniff of something► not have a snowball’s chance in hell► be not so much ... as ...
  • So far in Rajasthan, I had not so much as nodded to another female.
  • He had never had a day of sickness, not so much as a cold.
  • How could we have put their bag into ours without so much as a single check?
  • I, who had traveled all that long day on that train without so much as a cheese in my pocket?
  • It is a matter of tone, not so much as content.
  • That he had dumped her without a word, without so much as a goodbye.
  • We got our six appearances, and not so much as one drop-by or mix-and-mingle extra.
  • When they go straight to bed without so much as ordering a toasted sandwich or spending money at the bar.
► not so ... as ...
  • But so happen, one little boy not so good.
  • But it's not so bad down here.
  • Compared to how I feel, how I look is not so bad.
  • It is not so good at knowing how to do it.
  • My tongue not so good anyway.
  • She began to think that perhaps village life was not so bad.
  • Some years it was bad, other years not so bad.
  • When he was hot, he was hot, but for me the whole thing was not so good.
► not give/care a sod
  • Keep your drug money - I wouldn't want to soil my hands with it.
  • His father had not spoken a single word to him, just followed him around the house, not a solitary word.
► not a moment too soon/none too soon
  • "There's been a slight change in our plans." "I don't like the sound of that."
  • I just did not like the sound of this woman.
  • She did not like the sound of those words he was using.
► be not speaking/not be on speaking terms► not a squeak► not stand on ceremony
  • Even the Tories saw that the country would not stand for the Mad Woman's poll tax and ditched it.
  • He replaces Berndt Schultz, the Fair's founder, who did not stand for re-election.
  • However, she did not stand for re-election in 1979.
  • I will not stand for it.
  • In Michael's mind it was tantamount to mutiny and he would not stand for anyone disagreeing with him.
  • Kate would not stand for anything like that, she was too straight.
  • Never, say the sceptics: the man does not stand for anything.
  • That left him with one explanation for the rarity of polygamy in sparrows: The senior wives do not stand for it.
► not have a stitch on
  • John has several new ideas for the show, but nothing is etched in stone yet.
► that’s not the whole story
  • Continually adepts are warned that they must not strain themselves or try to experience these unnatural things.
► not know your own strength
  • After all, it did not stretch to the floor but started at three feet six and went up to seven feet.
  • Breadcrumb recipes are welcome but why not stretch to bulgur, rice, millet?
  • But you always evaded this question, saying your allowance from home would not stretch to paying the extra rent.
  • I wondered that her prejudices did not stretch to itinerant Arabs.
  • Verse 13: although near enough to acquire wealth from maritime trade, Zebulun's territory did not stretch to the sea.
► not do a stroke (of work)► not (...) as such
  • A tall, fast-talking southerner whose accent still lingers despite her years in the north, Porter does not suffer fools gladly.
  • Mr Fallon has been described as the kind of man who does not suffer fools gladly.
  • She was a forceful personality who did not suffer fools gladly, but her sternness was accompanied by grace and Victorian courtesy.
  • I'm not suggesting that she's stupid or anything.
  • And in any case, what Lucy may have done was surely not so dreadful and will be soon forgotten.
  • I said surely not, they were only two.
  • No, no, surely not.
  • Not about the sight of me acting, thought Arthur; surely not.
  • Such young skin, surely not ...?
  • The postmodernists rejected this viewpoint, however, as excessive romanticism, but Peto would surely not have cared.
  • This is surely not so much a knock-out punch, more of a gentle slap on the wrist.
  • Throwing money at the problem is surely not the way to convince people of sincerity.
  • Eric's not too swift, is he?
► be no/few/not many takers► I’m not telling (you)► that is not an option
  • And not that many women really feel comfortable going for the jugular.
  • He doesn't recognize the name, not that many people seem to know his or that of his publisher.
  • He would do the job himself if he had the time-and had the job not that many years ago.
  • I was told the rules, there were not that many and most were sensible.
  • McPhail, 20, is making a run for the board not that long after having graduated from the system himself.
  • So there is not that long a wait.
  • Thankfully there were not that many in cars.
  • Well, maybe not that many things.
► not be/feel themselves
  • And of course he was not all there in his head.
  • But this is not all there is to communication.
  • It was as though he was not all there, Jack thought.
  • As to any woman being suitable for Ana's needs, I think not.
  • Could I have been dreaming? I think not as four other unsolicited accounts verified my experience.
  • Is there something about me that attracts sexually abused women? I think not.
  • Perhaps he greets all ladies as he greeted me, but I think not.
  • Reagan, tight-lipped, replied, I think not.
  • So will closing these hospitals improve acute care? I think not.
  • The last nagging question is would we be so obsessed with the Simpson case if Nicole were black? I think not.
  • Unless they have been locked away for the past two years, I think not.
  • I didn't even think to ask about him about how Christal's doing.
  • Air pollution was not thought to be responsible.
  • But U.S. officials said the signs of a possible attack were not thought to be related to the Khobar indictment.
  • Most of the damage to trees was not thought to be permanent.
  • Police said cause had not been established but there were not thought to have been suspicious circumstances.
  • Police said that although the explosion was not thought to have been an accident no one was being sought.
  • These are productive thoughts, but we do not want to lead Della Guardia to evidence he has not thought to obtain.
  • They naturally did not think to apply it to their own empires.
  • We were told that we could not buy the camels because we had not thought to bring the right piece of paper.
  • I don't think much of that new restaurant.
  • He did not think much of the lectures.
  • He does not think much of the Midwest, which he calls a backward, dumb but snobbish place.
  • He does not think much of the students or professors either.
  • Later I gathered she did not think much of my manners.
► not before time/and about time (too)► not have much up top► not give a toss► not touch somebody/something
  • Dole says he will not touch Medicare, and he wants to throw more money at the Pentagon.
  • I reached out to feel your forehead, but you burned so hot I could not touch you with my bare hands.
  • If you have a chest, head or abdominal wound, keep as quiet as possible - do not touch the wound.
  • Its theory is both rigorous and self-consistent and has provided descriptions of many aspects which structural grammar did not touch upon.
  • So if he got on the stand, Harvester could not touch him.
  • The meter and service pipe should not touch or be close to any electrical conduit or apparatus.
  • They do not touch every topic, nor every region.
  • You can't hate what you can not touch, I can't even feel what most people think of as despair.
  • Curt doesn't let anyone touch his golf clubs.
  • There's stack of mail on his desk that hasn't been touched.
  • What's wrong? You've haven't touched your dinner.
  • Do not trouble to don your hat and gloves, Holmes.
  • I did not trouble to raise the matter with Keeble.
  • Paul need not trouble to come down, everything had been arranged.
  • She had not troubled to dress, despite, or perhaps because of, the fact that she had male visitors.
  • The Attorney-General I have not troubled to inquire whether any firm has contributed to the Conservative party.
► not care/give tuppence
  • But she can never entirely master a human soul - not unless you consent to it!
  • Fedorov, not unless you see special reason.
  • No, not unless you consider billionaire investor Warren Buffet a sucker.
  • Nobody but nobody commented on Maggie's shapely form - not unless they wanted acid dripping on them from that sharp tongue.
  • Nowhere to land, not unless you had a spaceship.
  • She couldn't think how she was going to enter the Commercial Hotel, not unless accompanied or pushed.
  • The old man had gone to bed with instructions not to be disturbed, not unless the plan failed.
  • Fear not, the white matter is indeed a pale porcelain white, not unlike skim milk diluted with a little water.
  • She believes she is doing a public service not unlike doctors or firemen.
  • Something not unlike tunnel vision ensues in the case of black kids.
  • Such crazy-making circumstances are not unlike the humiliating world in which the battered woman lives.
  • There is, and it is very important, a joking relationship, not unlike that in the armed forces and elsewhere.
  • This approximate definition, not unlike others in hotly contested areas of inquiry, is also a guide to further research.
  • This, too, is not unlike certain kinds of natural selection.
  • Actually it was not until 4 June that the submarines arrived on station.
  • But, it's not until the sun sets, that the Mar Estang really comes into its own.
  • He meant to, but addresses didn't seem important - well, not until it was too late.
  • I will accept your tequila, but not until after you have admitted your wrongs.
  • It was not until the 1880s that there were consistent experimental findings to support localization.
  • It was not until they had just left the Church that Joan discovered they were going for two weeks to Tenerife.
  • Watkins died in 1935 and it was not until the 1960s that interest in leys again fared.
► not your usual self
  • Are you - very happy, fairly happy, not very happy, or not happy at all?
  • Governments are not very good at tinkering.
  • He says his technique is not very good.
  • Most humans are not very good at keeping secrets.
  • My breathing was not very good at all.
  • Other kids were not very good either, and we all inadvertently inhaled the pool again and again.
  • Paul is not very good at pushing it yet.
  • Relations with Admiral Boyd of the Joint Chiefs were not very good either.
► (the word) failure/guilt/compromise etc is not in somebody’s vocabulary► not want for something/want for nothing
  • I never read any of them although it was not for want of trying.
  • It is not for want of encouragement.
  • This is not for want of official concern by education commissions, curriculum projects and national ministries.
  • This is not for want of talent or know-how.
► waste not, want not
  • I am not responsible for his actions in any way, shape, or form.
  • All is not well at the office.
► what's not to like/love?
  • The patients' needs don't seem to matter a whit to the hospital.
  • For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
  • I know that his intervention was well meant and had not a whit of political mischief about it.
  • "Maybe we could drive over to the beach today." "Yeah, why not."
  • But why not reward teams that played the best during the entire year?
  • But if every now and then real life is generous enough to throw us a dizzying love affair, why not?
  • But then ask: why not?
  • Demand immediate repeat immediate repeat immediate dispatch of krytron or immediate repeat immediate repeat immediate explanation of why not available.
  • If you have a small bathroom, why not consider a radiator with a built-in towel rail?
  • Since so much of house is pure beats, why not buy your funk in skeletal form too?
  • Sure, and why not a cane to poke at baskets?
  • Well then, why not simply erase them?
  • But never in my wildest dreams did I expect such a transformation as this.
► wild horses would/could not ...► not get a wink of sleep/not sleep a wink► be none the wiser/not be any the wiser► not be beyond the wit of somebody► not be out of the wood(s) yet► not see the wood for the trees
  • Do not believe a word of it.
  • For the rest of the journey Maria prattled on about Bradford, but Ruth did not hear a word.
  • However, it also shows that they are not very useful, for Hera did not believe a word of it.
  • I kept it up until I was certain you were not hearing a word.
  • To date I've not heard word one about such a plague in the Czech Republic.
  • We had not heard a word about my father all this time.
  • Could Sandra please not say a word to anyone, not even the women or the other rescue workers?
  • He did not say a word, just stared at the sky.
  • Marty was offering her his handkerchief, not saying a word.
  • She did not say a word.
  • She knew that she could not say a word until she had something.
  • We sit there for a few more minutes not saying a word.
  • Williams did not say a word until we got back to the company after the mission.
  • Yoyo does not say a word.
  • I wouldn't hurt Amy for the world.
  • Gentlemen, I would not for the world be judge in a cause in which I am one party among three.
  • I would not for the world keep him from his rest.
  • Rescripts were often penned for a case, and not for the world at large.
► somebody is not long for this world
  • Denoyer tells him not to worry, the painting is just out on loan to a gallery in Cannes.
  • Have a good night and try not to worry.
  • He told me not to worry.
  • It was far enough from home for him not to worry about who he'd see there.
  • Michael told him not to worry, it was all taken care of.
  • Theo was asked not to worry, and not to tell anyone unless forced.
  • They try not to worry excessively about the uncertainties in the future or to dwell on the traumatic events of the past.
  • Yet gays turning to churches and other institutions for help all too often were told not to worry.
  • And it wasn't worth it in the end, I was well miffed.
  • At any rate it isn't worth it really.
  • In one sense, we are not worth it.
  • It isn't worth it, please believe me.
  • It just isn't worth it.
  • Many training providers pull out because it is not worth it.
  • Sitting on the train she had suddenly thought that it was not worth it.
  • The whole place isn't worth it.
► I’m/We’re not worthy
  • Days later, my brother called to say he was all right, but would not say where he was.
  • In the army they would not fight, for the good reason that they had nothing to fight for.
  • Keyes said he would not break his fast until he was invited to participate in subsequent candidate debates.
  • Nellie had hoped it would not be too late for her, and now this had to happen.
  • That was the annual stockholders meeting, at which the computer would not only be publicly introduced, but officially shipped.
  • We remember Princess Diana causing grim foreboding at the Palace by avowing that she would not go quietly.
► you’re not wrong
  • You won't get Kieran to agree - not in a million years!
  • He was rich as Croesus, something he had never expected to be, not in a million years.
  • I still had to find Wally and attempt to explain what I would never in a million years be able to explain.
  • It is based on a true story so outrageous that it would never in a million years have passed muster as fiction.
  • Never. Not in a million years.
  • No parent is going to believe this pigtail story, not in a million years.
  • The real reason for her lack of promotion, she knew, would never in a million years occur to him.
  • There was no point in all of this: she would never believe him. Not in a million years.
  • You'd never in a million years see a dancing man in a field in the country.
► somebody is not getting any younger► not seem/be/feel yourself
1used to make a word, statement, or question negative:  Most of the stores do not open until 10 am. She’s not a very nice person. You were wrong not to inform the police. ‘Can we go to the park?’ ‘No, not today, dear.’not at all/not ... at all (=used to emphasize what you are saying) The changes were not at all surprising. I do not like his attitude at all. → no1, n't2used in order to make a word or expression have the opposite meaning:  Edinburgh isn’t far now. The food is not very good there.not a lot/much/many etc (=only a few, only a little etc) Not much is known about the disease. Not many people have read the report. Most of the hotels are not that cheap (=they are fairly expensive).3used instead of a whole phrase to mean the opposite of what has been mentioned before it:  No one knows if the story is true or not. I hope to see you tomorrow, but if not, leave me a message. ‘Is Mark still sick?’ ‘I hope not.’ → so1(4)4not only in addition to being or doing somethingnot only ... (but) also ... Shakespeare was not only a writer but also an actor.not only do/will/can etc Not only do the nurses want a pay increase, they want reduced hours as well.5 not a/not one not any person or thing:  Not one of the students knew the answer. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Not a single person said thank you.6 not that ... used before a sentence or phrase to mean the opposite of what follows it, and to make the previous sentence seem less important:  Sarah has a new boyfriend – not that I care (=I do not care). Janice had lost some weight, not that it mattered (=it did not matter).7not at all British English spoken used to be polite when someone has thanked you or asked you to do something:  ‘Would you mind helping me with my suitcase?’ ‘Not at all.’8not the sharpest tool in the box/shed (also not the brightest crayon in the box), not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree informal used to say that someone is not very intelligent or is not able to learn things quickly or easily – used humorously9– not! spoken used, especially by young people, to say that you really mean the opposite of what you have just said:  I really enjoy spending my day working here – not! → not half at half3(6), → not to say at say1(43)GRAMMAR: Negatives• Don’t use another negative word such as ‘no’, ‘nothing’, or ‘nobody’ after not. Use any, anything, anybody etc. You say: · They do not have any money.· I didn’t know anybody. ✗Don’t say: They do not have no money. | I didn’t know nobody.• Not goes before ‘to’ in an infinitive verb. You say: · I try not to make mistakes. ✗Don’t say: I try to not make mistakes.
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