anything but

Idioms  

1. 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.”

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Example Sentences

While this might seem like the logical next step in the hiring process for a Ryan Murphy show, the suggestion felt anything but.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2026

She jokes and smiles, but that should never be confused with anything but fierce determination.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

“Dreams” may be formally modest, but its ideology is anything but.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

People can say anything, but their actions speak volumes.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

To him we’d never be anything but a faceless, soulless pack of workers.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo