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

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

So far, all but two of the UFO ETF’s top 10 holdings have seen their stock prices decline in June.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026

Heroism’s great and all, but nothing ensures immortality like putting on a good show.

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2026

The buzz: Both teams are all but assured of going through to the next round, but there’s still a lot at stake.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2026

Right after a loud clap of thunder that all but shook the house down, Daisy said, “Boy, Old Thor must really be mad tonight.”

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

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