anything but

Idioms

By no means, not at all, as in He is anything but ambitious for a promotion. William Wordsworth in his long poem, The Prelude (1805–1806), wrote: “Grief call it not, 'twas anything but that.”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Anything but a rate hike at the ECB meeting would be a big surprise," said ING economist Carsten Brzeski.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Anything but a transcendent USC season that’s worthy of the program’s annals won’t get it done in 2023.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2023

Anything but the last-four for us is disappointing, based on our history at World Cups.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2022

"Anything but" the Vitis vinifera — Cabernet Sauvignon, Pais and Chardonnay — found on "classic" wine lists across the country.

From Salon • Oct. 30, 2022

Anything but the fact that one of my best friends has developed a whole new life without me.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023