| 释义 |
adverb səʊsoʊ 1as submodifier To such a great extent. the words tumbled out so fast that I could barely hear them I'm not so foolish as to say that Example sentencesExamples - On the Internet we had so many hits in the first hour that we were really struggling.
- I am not so stupid as to consider myself original.
- Everyone must have put in so many hours to get it right, so a big thank you to all.
- She, like the rest of the family, had not expected Belinda to be away for so long.
- Everything had happened so fast he barely was able to absorb all the information.
- I sang so loud that I'm still hoarse now, almost 24 hours later!
- Sometimes we write songs so slowly that we never get around to recording them.
- Not so long ago a new train service was inaugurated with due pomp and ceremony.
- She did not know why God kept her here so long but believed that He must have had a purpose.
- Our politicians have plundered the system for so long, corruption is part of life.
- 1.1 Extremely; very much (used for emphasis)
Example sentencesExamples - I wanted to like the movie if only because the critics hated it so, but I couldn't deny the unmistakable truth that it was not very good.
- Thank you so much for all the comments, they mean more than you know.
- He was so handsome in his dark Sunday suit.
- Their bathroom was so clean!
- We are so pleased to be hosting this third debate.
- Arthur liked Ben a great deal, but no one could predict how a marriage would fare and he wanted so much for this one to be successful.
- It never even gets as far as a fight, because my wife is so much more organised than me.
- When we were interviewing Betsey Wright, I was so grateful to her for trusting us that much.
Synonyms extremely, very, exceedingly, exceptionally, especially, extraordinarily, tremendously, vastly, hugely, abundantly, intensely, acutely, singularly, significantly, distinctly, outstandingly, uncommonly, unusually, decidedly, particularly, eminently, supremely, highly, remarkably, really, truly, mightily, thoroughly, to a fault, in the extreme, extra - 1.2informal Used to emphasize a clause or negative statement.
you are so going to regret this Example sentencesExamples - I'm so not a party person, which is why I escape here.
- You so need a cell phone.
- That's so not funny.
- We're so going to be late!
- 1.3informal Used with a gesture to indicate size.
the bird was about so long Example sentencesExamples - ‘Oh, it's flat like a coin, but about so big,’ said Erin, gesturing with his hands.
- Have you seen a girl, about so high, with long blonde hair?
2as submodifier, with negative To the same extent (used in comparisons) he isn't so bad as you'd think help without which he would not have done so well Example sentencesExamples - No question, Slurpees are the best car drink ever, and they never taste so good as on a roadtrip.
- I feel fine, at least not so tired as I felt before.
- It's not so difficult as it seems.
- This did not prove so easy as he had hoped.
3Referring back to something previously mentioned. - 3.1 That is the case.
if she notices, she never says so I hear that you're a writer—is that so? ‘Has somebody called an ambulance?’ ‘I believe so’ Example sentencesExamples - Although currently set to be demolished, Ashfield Works could be structurally sound - and if so could be ideal for development.
- Perhaps his next stop in Houston will be a better one. Let's hope so!
- The beans were cream-colored, with a yellow hue, or so he said.
- I watched an episode, saw nothing wrong with it, and said so.
- Is there a place for direct marketing? I think so.
- 3.2 Similarly; and also.
times have changed and so have I Example sentencesExamples - I went from an unfit person to a fit person and so can you!
- New Zealand know they are going to get a lot better: they made mistakes, and so did we.
- 3.3 Expressing agreement.
‘There's another one.’ ‘So there is.’ Example sentencesExamples - ‘You were there, too.’ ‘So I was.’
- 3.4Irish Used for emphasis in a formula added at the end of a statement.
your old man was the salt of the earth, so he was Example sentencesExamples - She was a lovely girl, so she was.
- He left us down, so he did!
- 3.5informal Used to emphatically contradict a negative statement.
Example sentencesExamples - ‘You're not Icelandic.’ ‘I am so.’
4In the way described or demonstrated; thus. so it was that he was still a bachelor Example sentencesExamples - And so it was that Mark ended up taking us home in his old pick-up truck at about 10:30.
Synonyms consequently, as a consequence, in consequence, so, that being so, therefore, accordingly, hence, as a result, for that reason, for this reason, because of that, because of this, on that account, on this account like that, like this, in that way, in this way, in that manner, in this manner, in that fashion, in this fashion, so, like so
conjunction səʊsoʊ 1And for this reason; therefore. it was still painful so I went to see a specialist you know I'm telling the truth, so don't interrupt Example sentencesExamples - I have to move my cattle over to somewhere else, requiring me to lease property, so I want money for that.
- I think I've been playing very well, so to say that my heart's not in it is hurtful.
- There is very little between teams now they are all champions, so to say that any team should be outstanding favourites is not realistic.
- Each of them can be downloaded free of charge, so go ahead and do it.
- By the time we bought our tickets it was almost 5:30 so we hurried back to the hotel.
Synonyms accurate, correct, verifiable, faithful, literal, veracious - 1.1so that With the result that.
it was overgrown with brambles, so that I had difficulty making any progress Example sentencesExamples - When it was translated it usually meant no more to her than it did in English, so that she did not know what to reply.
- The lawyer said the American was inebriated at the time, so that he had lost control of his actions.
2so thatWith the aim that; in order that. they whisper to each other so that no one else can hear Example sentencesExamples - Janelle said that she will take all of the kids out so that we can have a romantic night in.
- She picks up the newspaper and holds it up so that she can't see me.
- We know from her letters that Frances destroyed the original, so that it would not injure her husband's reputation.
3And then; as the next step. Example sentencesExamples - And so to the afternoon's entertainments.
4Introducing a question. so, what did you do today? Example sentencesExamples - So, how are you, Mona?
- So, when's the next game?
- 4.1 Introducing a question following on from what was said previously.
so what did he do about it? Example sentencesExamples - If you plan to rely solely on the government when times are hard, you run the risk of repossession. So, what are the alternatives?
- 4.2informal Why should that be considered significant?
‘He came into the shop this morning.’ ‘So?’ Example sentencesExamples - ‘He's an estate agent.’ ‘So?’
- The film's heart is undoubtedly in the right place, but so what?
5Introducing a statement which is followed by a defensive comment. so I like keeping track of things—what's wrong with that? Example sentencesExamples - So we've had a bad past - forget about it.
- The truth does hurt, so what's the big deal?
6Introducing a concluding statement. Example sentencesExamples - OK, so that's enough talk from me about that.
- But I've got a very busy day lined up, so that's all for now.
7In the same way; correspondingly. just as bad money drives out good, so does bad art drive out the good Example sentencesExamples - If you start out sensibly, improving your performance, you'll find that just as a muscle strengthens, so will your willpower.
- As the weather's been getting more heated, so has she.
Phrases And similar things; et cetera. these savouries include cheeses, cold meats, and so on Example sentencesExamples - We are often too anxious to have it all and have it now, so some become white collar criminals and so on.
- If you believe in freedom of speech, assembly, religion and so forth, why not embrace the free market?
- Told in verse, each character ends up with a book which in turn introduces us to the next character, and so on.
- He could go harder and longer than most of the other athletes in long distance training and so forth.
- For the footballers, it is too much too young, a lack of education and so on.
- Also, be aware that sugar might be described as sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose and so on.
- One more person might get to hear about the author, might talk about it, might buy a proper copy for a friend, and so forth.
- This region used to be the bedrock of conflicts and cold War politics and so forth.
- She was convicted simply for tampering with evidence such as erasing phone logs and so on.
- The company should stress that it uses real chocolate, butter and cream rather than vegetable oils and so on.
Synonyms and so on, and so forth, and so on and so forth, and the rest, and the like, or the like, and suchlike, or suchlike, and more of the same, or more of the same, and similar things, or similar things, et cetera et cetera, and others, among others, et al., etc.
derogatory Emphasizing a large amount of something. it's just so much ideological cant Example sentencesExamples - But is it an agenda to save the planet, or just so much hot air?
- Bollywood was for the masses, its excrescences like posters and billboards and lobby cards just so much kitsch.
- Natural History programmes are just so much noise these days.
- Until then, it will look like just so much smoke and mirrors from the old order of duplicity and double standards.
- To them, rock tradition is just so much cliché, rock mythology is very possibly untrue, and they've poked fun at poseurs from day one.
- Outside such parameters, it's just so much speculation, no matter how poetically put.
- There's just so much paperwork out there that it's really not a targeted effort.
- There's just so much interesting information to be found!
- There's just so much extra clunky junk that the story never quite makes its way through.
- Beneath it all, though, the verbal barrage is really just so much wisecracking.
the novel was not so much unfinished as unfinishable Example sentencesExamples - It is not so much to keep the cash flowing as to satisfy his addiction to writing stories.
- His public relations skills are not so much negligible as negative.
- What's different now, though, is that feminism appears not so much dead as obsolete.
- She is not so much cautious as thoughtful and reasoned: extremely useful qualities for new organisations in uncertain waters.
- The connection between growth and ideas is not so much logical as psychological.
- Their reasoning is not so much theological as magical.
- The hysteria was not so much instantaneous as ready-made.
- It is not so much a case of dumbing down, as pumping up the volume and giving it back to the people.
- Bobby Gillespie at 40 is not so much middle-aged as never-aged.
- Revolutionary France was not so much backward as different in the route it took towards industrialization.
there is only so much you can do to protect yourself Example sentencesExamples - There is only so much advice, persuasion and goodwill a friend can give.
- The council can do only so much - it has limited staff and cleaning up careless waste costs money.
- Oh sure I have friends who care, but there is only so much people want to hear about this.
- Imagine you're a newspaper editor - there's only so much that you can say about the acts that will be on.
- However, there is only so much that can be achieved through coaching alone.
- There's only so much enjoyment a film can give me when I feel no sympathy whatsoever for its characters.
- There is only so much battering, criticism and friendlessness any institution can take before it breaks.
- If people are willing to die in order to kill others, there is only so much that can be done to stop them.
- There is only so much space that these towns can dedicate to car parking.
- There's only so much the leader of the free world can do in the event of a crisis.
In order to do something. she had put her hair up so as to look older Example sentencesExamples - This last couple of days I've been buying lots of computer bits and pieces so as to build this new super computer.
- We'd gone without breakfast so as to enjoy our meal more - and we were starving.
- His plan was to increase the flow of money so as to cure economic stagnation; but of course the result was inflation.
- I leaned back in the chair at one point, and she seemed to lean with me, so as to keep pressed up against me.
- The young woman in question had married her boyfriend so as to be able to join him in Japan.
- It is important you attend training regularly so as to compete to the best of your ability.
- Every time I see it, I have to turn my head quickly so as to avoid becoming embarrassed.
- The legislation must be interpreted liberally so as to achieve its objectives.
- All the competition will be conducted in daylight hours so as to avoid the need for artificial lighting.
- The nobility hurried to build houses there so as to be at the centre of affairs.
An expression of acceptance or resignation. Example sentencesExamples - If someone doesn't like my beliefs and wants to write about them, so be it.
- Ben was building that dream for his sons, and if that meant sacrifices on all their parts, then so be it.
- If you want to be victimized by those who are willing to abuse free speech so be it.
- And if the stance of peace protesters like me is seen to be unpatriotic then so be it.
- If the government has decided that ruling by poll is acceptable, so be it.
- You have to take what comfort you can get and if it comes in the form of Hot Cross Buns and toasted tea-cakes then so be it.
- If there are legitimate areas of disagreement, so be it - let the best ideas prevail.
- I claim the right to live my life as I see fit, and if that involves an element of risk, then so be it.
- Winning is the only thing and if taking a pill will help achieve the ultimate goal, then so be it.
- I know that my views will possibly be contentious, and so be it - they probably are.
1Goodbye till we meet again. Example sentencesExamples - So long, Mother. Be expecting a postcard or two in the mail, if you're lucky.
- I just want it to be done with, but I don't want to deal with any of the moving or saying so long stuff.
- When she walked out on the Sugababes as they hit the big time, it looked like so long, Siobhan.
- ‘So long!’, Catharine waved goodbye to Audrey as the door closed.
Example sentencesExamples - She wants me to go right now…mind the shop so long, you hear?
Indicating a particular but unspecified quantity. so many hours at such-and-such a speed Example sentencesExamples - Abolishing school fees will only do so much for equality of opportunity.
- Even being told by your coach to go spin for so many hours a week is not the insult it sounds.
he sat down without so much as a word to anyone Example sentencesExamples - Which is more than can be said for the DJ, who made it through the evening without so much as a murmur.
- Remind me to find out the name of that flooring company so I can be sure never to buy so much as a carpet tile from it.
- She had not been ill, if she ever got so much as a sniffle I would take her straight to the doctors.
- Neither he nor Bridge had so much as a sniff of international football six months ago.
- They actually repulse me so much that I seriously want to vomit if I so much as see one.
- Since then Bonds has refused to speak so much as a single word to the magazine.
- McCann then had the audacity to look up and whip it into the far corner without so much as a second thought.
- Not so much as a single head pic of a female footballer managed to creep into the sporting briefs.
- This recipe is rich and flavoursome, yet you needn't chop so much as an onion to make it.
- His will left everything to his elder daughter and did not so much as mention Ann.
Synonyms so much as, hardly, barely, scarcely
1Indicating that one has finished talking about something. So much for the melodic line. We now turn our attention to the accompaniment 2Suggesting that something has not been successful or useful. Example sentencesExamples - The area is also riddled with graffiti - mostly badly spelled - so much for all that money spent on education!
- Well, so much for the rule where they're not supposed to address each other directly.
- The cold and waves were starting to get to me, and I couldn't feel my legs; so much for my lanolin and vaseline mixture.
- As for the article all I can say is so much for the Code Of Responsibility!
I was fascinated by the company, so much so that I wrote a book about it Example sentencesExamples - It's much easier doing this job on a proper bench, so much so that even I can manage it reasonably speedily.
- Her quick pace was marked with urgency, so much so that even her escorts had to match her stride.
- The noodles were starchy and overcooked, so much so that in places they had welded together into a solid lump.
- My hay fever has been particularly bad this morning, so much so that I had to take a triple dose of my usual antihistamines.
- The bread was tough, so much so that she left a substantial portion.
- A sombre mood dominates, so much so that it leaks into the two upbeat tracks.
- The helping of fish was extremely generous, so much so that Ann passed some of it to me with almost half the baguette.
- The soup is excellent, so much so that on a recent visit my companion had two bowls.
- The town had agreed with her, so much so that nearly everyone he knew had signed the letter.
- It was unexpectedly funny, so much so that I actually wept with laughter at one point.
Used to highlight the fact that one is describing something in an unusual or metaphorical way. delving into the body's secrets, I looked death in the face, so to speak Example sentencesExamples - But in the end we all ended up in the same boat so to speak, achieving but still trying.
- But the natives, so to say, are getting restless.
- The rest remain out of the loop, so to speak, and in all likelihood will continue to do so.
- But it is only now that they are able to enjoy the fruits of their labour, so to speak.
- He wasn't at the forefront of the mayhem but everybody knew he had a hand in it, so to speak.
- You write for a lot of different publications - do you have to put on a different head, so to speak, for each one?
- The rabbit is out of the hat, so to speak, and no government, never mind a mere bookmaking company, can put it back in.
- It is the ultimate capitalist consumer product - a direct line, so to speak, to a captive market.
- And now they're fighting over their man, so to say.
- In the old times, women did have equal status, so to say.
Synonyms so to speak, in a manner of speaking, in a way, in some way or other, to some extent, so to say
Origin Old English swā, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zo and German so. Rhymes aglow, ago, alow, although, apropos, art nouveau, Bamako, Bardot, beau, Beaujolais Nouveau, below, bestow, blow, bo, Boileau, bons mots, Bordeaux, Bow, bravo, bro, cachepot, cheerio, Coe, crow, Defoe, de trop, doe, doh, dos-à-dos, do-si-do, dough, dzo, Flo, floe, flow, foe, foreknow, foreshow, forgo, Foucault, froe, glow, go, good-oh, go-slow, grow, gung-ho, Heathrow, heave-ho, heigh-ho, hello, ho, hoe, ho-ho, jo, Joe, kayo, know, lo, low, maillot, malapropos, Marceau, mho, Miró, mo, Mohs, Monroe, mot, mow, Munro, no, Noh, no-show, oh, oho, outgo, outgrow, owe, Perrault, pho, po, Poe, pro, quid pro quo, reshow, righto, roe, Rouault, row, Rowe, sew, shew, show, sloe, slow, snow, soh, sow, status quo, stow, Stowe, strow, tally-ho, though, throw, tic-tac-toe, to-and-fro, toe, touch-and-go, tow, trow, undergo, undersow, voe, whacko, whoa, wo, woe, Xuzhou, yo, yo-ho-ho, Zhengzhou, Zhou adverbsoʊsō 1as submodifier To such a great extent. the words tumbled out so fast that I could barely hear them I'm not so foolish as to say that Example sentencesExamples - She, like the rest of the family, had not expected Belinda to be away for so long.
- On the Internet we had so many hits in the first hour that we were really struggling.
- She did not know why God kept her here so long but believed that He must have had a purpose.
- Everyone must have put in so many hours to get it right, so a big thank you to all.
- Sometimes we write songs so slowly that we never get around to recording them.
- Not so long ago a new train service was inaugurated with due pomp and ceremony.
- Our politicians have plundered the system for so long, corruption is part of life.
- Everything had happened so fast he barely was able to absorb all the information.
- I sang so loud that I'm still hoarse now, almost 24 hours later!
- I am not so stupid as to consider myself original.
- 1.1 Extremely; very much (used for emphasis)
Example sentencesExamples - Their bathroom was so clean!
- When we were interviewing Betsey Wright, I was so grateful to her for trusting us that much.
- It never even gets as far as a fight, because my wife is so much more organised than me.
- Thank you so much for all the comments, they mean more than you know.
- I wanted to like the movie if only because the critics hated it so, but I couldn't deny the unmistakable truth that it was not very good.
- He was so handsome in his dark Sunday suit.
- We are so pleased to be hosting this third debate.
- Arthur liked Ben a great deal, but no one could predict how a marriage would fare and he wanted so much for this one to be successful.
Synonyms extremely, very, exceedingly, exceptionally, especially, extraordinarily, tremendously, vastly, hugely, abundantly, intensely, acutely, singularly, significantly, distinctly, outstandingly, uncommonly, unusually, decidedly, particularly, eminently, supremely, highly, remarkably, really, truly, mightily, thoroughly, to a fault, in the extreme, extra - 1.2informal Used to emphasize a clause or negative statement.
you are so going to regret this Example sentencesExamples - You so need a cell phone.
- That's so not funny.
- I'm so not a party person, which is why I escape here.
- We're so going to be late!
- 1.3informal Used with a gesture to indicate size.
the bird was about so long Example sentencesExamples - ‘Oh, it's flat like a coin, but about so big,’ said Erin, gesturing with his hands.
- Have you seen a girl, about so high, with long blonde hair?
2as submodifier, with negative To the same extent (used in comparisons) he isn't so bad as you'd think without his parents’ support, he would not have done so well Example sentencesExamples - I feel fine, at least not so tired as I felt before.
- This did not prove so easy as he had hoped.
- No question, Slurpees are the best car drink ever, and they never taste so good as on a roadtrip.
- It's not so difficult as it seems.
3Referring back to something previously mentioned. - 3.1 That is the case.
if she notices, she never says so I hear that you're a writer—is that so? “Is it going to rain?” “I think so.” Example sentencesExamples - The beans were cream-colored, with a yellow hue, or so he said.
- Although currently set to be demolished, Ashfield Works could be structurally sound - and if so could be ideal for development.
- Is there a place for direct marketing? I think so.
- I watched an episode, saw nothing wrong with it, and said so.
- Perhaps his next stop in Houston will be a better one. Let's hope so!
- 3.2 Similarly; and also.
times have changed and so have I Example sentencesExamples - New Zealand know they are going to get a lot better: they made mistakes, and so did we.
- I went from an unfit person to a fit person and so can you!
- 3.3 Expressing agreement.
“It's cold in here.” “So it is.” Example sentencesExamples - ‘You were there, too.’ ‘So I was.’
- 3.4informal Used to emphatically contradict a negative statement.
Example sentencesExamples - ‘You're not Icelandic.’ ‘I am so.’
4In the way described or demonstrated; thus. so it was that he was still a bachelor Example sentencesExamples - And so it was that Mark ended up taking us home in his old pick-up truck at about 10:30.
Synonyms consequently, as a consequence, in consequence, so, that being so, therefore, accordingly, hence, as a result, for that reason, for this reason, because of that, because of this, on that account, on this account like that, like this, in that way, in this way, in that manner, in this manner, in that fashion, in this fashion, so, like so
conjunctionsoʊsō 1And for this reason; therefore. it was still painful so I went to see a specialist you know I'm telling the truth, so don't interrupt Example sentencesExamples - I have to move my cattle over to somewhere else, requiring me to lease property, so I want money for that.
- Each of them can be downloaded free of charge, so go ahead and do it.
- By the time we bought our tickets it was almost 5:30 so we hurried back to the hotel.
- There is very little between teams now they are all champions, so to say that any team should be outstanding favourites is not realistic.
- I think I've been playing very well, so to say that my heart's not in it is hurtful.
Synonyms accurate, correct, verifiable, faithful, literal, veracious - 1.1so that With the result that.
it was overgrown with brambles, so that I had difficulty making any progress Example sentencesExamples - When it was translated it usually meant no more to her than it did in English, so that she did not know what to reply.
- The lawyer said the American was inebriated at the time, so that he had lost control of his actions.
2so thatWith the aim that; in order that. they whisper to each other so that no one else can hear Example sentencesExamples - She picks up the newspaper and holds it up so that she can't see me.
- Janelle said that she will take all of the kids out so that we can have a romantic night in.
- We know from her letters that Frances destroyed the original, so that it would not injure her husband's reputation.
3And then; as the next step. Example sentencesExamples - And so to the afternoon's entertainments.
4Introducing a question. so, what did you do today? Example sentencesExamples - So, how are you, Mona?
- So, when's the next game?
- 4.1 Introducing a question following on from what was said previously.
so what did he do about it? Example sentencesExamples - If you plan to rely solely on the government when times are hard, you run the risk of repossession. So, what are the alternatives?
- 4.2informal Why should that be considered significant?
“Marv is wearing a suit.” “So?” Example sentencesExamples - ‘He's an estate agent.’ ‘So?’
- The film's heart is undoubtedly in the right place, but so what?
5Introducing a statement which is followed by a defensive comment. so I like anchovies—what's wrong with that? Example sentencesExamples - So we've had a bad past - forget about it.
- The truth does hurt, so what's the big deal?
6Introducing a concluding statement. Example sentencesExamples - OK, so that's enough talk from me about that.
- But I've got a very busy day lined up, so that's all for now.
7In the same way; correspondingly. just as bad money drives out good, so does bad art drive out the good Example sentencesExamples - If you start out sensibly, improving your performance, you'll find that just as a muscle strengthens, so will your willpower.
- As the weather's been getting more heated, so has she.
Phrases And similar things; et cetera. these snacks include cheeses, cold meats, and so on Example sentencesExamples - For the footballers, it is too much too young, a lack of education and so on.
- Told in verse, each character ends up with a book which in turn introduces us to the next character, and so on.
- One more person might get to hear about the author, might talk about it, might buy a proper copy for a friend, and so forth.
- This region used to be the bedrock of conflicts and cold War politics and so forth.
- Also, be aware that sugar might be described as sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose and so on.
- He could go harder and longer than most of the other athletes in long distance training and so forth.
- If you believe in freedom of speech, assembly, religion and so forth, why not embrace the free market?
- We are often too anxious to have it all and have it now, so some become white collar criminals and so on.
- She was convicted simply for tampering with evidence such as erasing phone logs and so on.
- The company should stress that it uses real chocolate, butter and cream rather than vegetable oils and so on.
Synonyms and so on, and so forth, and so on and so forth, and the rest, and the like, or the like, and suchlike, or suchlike, and more of the same, or more of the same, and similar things, or similar things, et cetera et cetera, and others, among others, et al., etc.
derogatory Emphasizing a large amount of something. it's just so much ideological cant Example sentencesExamples - There's just so much extra clunky junk that the story never quite makes its way through.
- Bollywood was for the masses, its excrescences like posters and billboards and lobby cards just so much kitsch.
- To them, rock tradition is just so much cliché, rock mythology is very possibly untrue, and they've poked fun at poseurs from day one.
- There's just so much paperwork out there that it's really not a targeted effort.
- Beneath it all, though, the verbal barrage is really just so much wisecracking.
- But is it an agenda to save the planet, or just so much hot air?
- There's just so much interesting information to be found!
- Outside such parameters, it's just so much speculation, no matter how poetically put.
- Natural History programmes are just so much noise these days.
- Until then, it will look like just so much smoke and mirrors from the old order of duplicity and double standards.
the novel was not so much unfinished as unfinishable Example sentencesExamples - The hysteria was not so much instantaneous as ready-made.
- Bobby Gillespie at 40 is not so much middle-aged as never-aged.
- Revolutionary France was not so much backward as different in the route it took towards industrialization.
- His public relations skills are not so much negligible as negative.
- The connection between growth and ideas is not so much logical as psychological.
- She is not so much cautious as thoughtful and reasoned: extremely useful qualities for new organisations in uncertain waters.
- It is not so much a case of dumbing down, as pumping up the volume and giving it back to the people.
- It is not so much to keep the cash flowing as to satisfy his addiction to writing stories.
- Their reasoning is not so much theological as magical.
- What's different now, though, is that feminism appears not so much dead as obsolete.
there is only so much you can do to protect yourself Example sentencesExamples - If people are willing to die in order to kill others, there is only so much that can be done to stop them.
- There is only so much battering, criticism and friendlessness any institution can take before it breaks.
- Imagine you're a newspaper editor - there's only so much that you can say about the acts that will be on.
- Oh sure I have friends who care, but there is only so much people want to hear about this.
- There's only so much enjoyment a film can give me when I feel no sympathy whatsoever for its characters.
- The council can do only so much - it has limited staff and cleaning up careless waste costs money.
- However, there is only so much that can be achieved through coaching alone.
- There's only so much the leader of the free world can do in the event of a crisis.
- There is only so much advice, persuasion and goodwill a friend can give.
- There is only so much space that these towns can dedicate to car parking.
In order to do something. she had put her hair up so as to look older Example sentencesExamples - The young woman in question had married her boyfriend so as to be able to join him in Japan.
- All the competition will be conducted in daylight hours so as to avoid the need for artificial lighting.
- This last couple of days I've been buying lots of computer bits and pieces so as to build this new super computer.
- His plan was to increase the flow of money so as to cure economic stagnation; but of course the result was inflation.
- The legislation must be interpreted liberally so as to achieve its objectives.
- It is important you attend training regularly so as to compete to the best of your ability.
- I leaned back in the chair at one point, and she seemed to lean with me, so as to keep pressed up against me.
- Every time I see it, I have to turn my head quickly so as to avoid becoming embarrassed.
- The nobility hurried to build houses there so as to be at the centre of affairs.
- We'd gone without breakfast so as to enjoy our meal more - and we were starving.
An expression of acceptance or resignation. Example sentencesExamples - If there are legitimate areas of disagreement, so be it - let the best ideas prevail.
- And if the stance of peace protesters like me is seen to be unpatriotic then so be it.
- If someone doesn't like my beliefs and wants to write about them, so be it.
- Ben was building that dream for his sons, and if that meant sacrifices on all their parts, then so be it.
- I claim the right to live my life as I see fit, and if that involves an element of risk, then so be it.
- If the government has decided that ruling by poll is acceptable, so be it.
- If you want to be victimized by those who are willing to abuse free speech so be it.
- Winning is the only thing and if taking a pill will help achieve the ultimate goal, then so be it.
- You have to take what comfort you can get and if it comes in the form of Hot Cross Buns and toasted tea-cakes then so be it.
- I know that my views will possibly be contentious, and so be it - they probably are.
Indicating a particular but unspecified quantity. so many hours at such-and-such a speed Example sentencesExamples - Even being told by your coach to go spin for so many hours a week is not the insult it sounds.
- Abolishing school fees will only do so much for equality of opportunity.
he sat down without so much as a word to anyone Example sentencesExamples - Which is more than can be said for the DJ, who made it through the evening without so much as a murmur.
- Not so much as a single head pic of a female footballer managed to creep into the sporting briefs.
- His will left everything to his elder daughter and did not so much as mention Ann.
- Since then Bonds has refused to speak so much as a single word to the magazine.
- This recipe is rich and flavoursome, yet you needn't chop so much as an onion to make it.
- McCann then had the audacity to look up and whip it into the far corner without so much as a second thought.
- Neither he nor Bridge had so much as a sniff of international football six months ago.
- They actually repulse me so much that I seriously want to vomit if I so much as see one.
- Remind me to find out the name of that flooring company so I can be sure never to buy so much as a carpet tile from it.
- She had not been ill, if she ever got so much as a sniffle I would take her straight to the doctors.
Synonyms so much as, hardly, barely, scarcely
1Indicating that one has finished talking about something. So much for the melodic line. We now turn our attention to the accompaniment 2Suggesting that something has not been successful or useful. Example sentencesExamples - The area is also riddled with graffiti - mostly badly spelled - so much for all that money spent on education!
- The cold and waves were starting to get to me, and I couldn't feel my legs; so much for my lanolin and vaseline mixture.
- As for the article all I can say is so much for the Code Of Responsibility!
- Well, so much for the rule where they're not supposed to address each other directly.
I was fascinated by the company, so much so that I wrote a book about it Example sentencesExamples - Her quick pace was marked with urgency, so much so that even her escorts had to match her stride.
- The helping of fish was extremely generous, so much so that Ann passed some of it to me with almost half the baguette.
- The noodles were starchy and overcooked, so much so that in places they had welded together into a solid lump.
- My hay fever has been particularly bad this morning, so much so that I had to take a triple dose of my usual antihistamines.
- The bread was tough, so much so that she left a substantial portion.
- The town had agreed with her, so much so that nearly everyone he knew had signed the letter.
- It was unexpectedly funny, so much so that I actually wept with laughter at one point.
- It's much easier doing this job on a proper bench, so much so that even I can manage it reasonably speedily.
- A sombre mood dominates, so much so that it leaks into the two upbeat tracks.
- The soup is excellent, so much so that on a recent visit my companion had two bowls.
Used to highlight the fact that one is describing something in an unusual or metaphorical way. delving into the body's secrets, I looked death in the face, so to speak Example sentencesExamples - But the natives, so to say, are getting restless.
- It is the ultimate capitalist consumer product - a direct line, so to speak, to a captive market.
- But it is only now that they are able to enjoy the fruits of their labour, so to speak.
- In the old times, women did have equal status, so to say.
- He wasn't at the forefront of the mayhem but everybody knew he had a hand in it, so to speak.
- The rabbit is out of the hat, so to speak, and no government, never mind a mere bookmaking company, can put it back in.
- The rest remain out of the loop, so to speak, and in all likelihood will continue to do so.
- And now they're fighting over their man, so to say.
- You write for a lot of different publications - do you have to put on a different head, so to speak, for each one?
- But in the end we all ended up in the same boat so to speak, achieving but still trying.
Synonyms so to speak, in a manner of speaking, in a way, in some way or other, to some extent, so to say
informal Goodbye until we meet again. Example sentencesExamples - I just want it to be done with, but I don't want to deal with any of the moving or saying so long stuff.
- So long, Mother. Be expecting a postcard or two in the mail, if you're lucky.
- When she walked out on the Sugababes as they hit the big time, it looked like so long, Siobhan.
- ‘So long!’, Catharine waved goodbye to Audrey as the door closed.
Origin Old English swā, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zo and German so. nounsōsoʊ alternate spelling of soh
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