all but

Idioms  

1. Almost, nearly, as in I've all but finished the book. This expression was used by Andrew Marvell in “Thoughts in a Garden”: “Society is all but rude, To this delicious solitude.” [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700-million contract defers all but $2 million of his annual salary until after the contract expires.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

A few years ago, Binance was all but blocked in the U.S., while it had a freer hand to operate in the EU.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026

Fighting and tight restrictions have all but cut off access to the city, making independent reporting increasingly difficult.

From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026

A win over Brazil would guarantee a place in the next round, while a draw would all but secure qualification for the first time in Scotland's history.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

Lady Constance batted at her face with the puff until she all but disappeared in a perfumed fog.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• about
• approximately
• around
• essentially
• most
• much
• practically
• relatively
• roughly
• virtually