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

“This is anything but a usual case,” Intrater told the judge.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

His mother, Roberta Thomas, was the head of research for Columbia Pictures and hoped her son would be anything but a performer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

“Most insurance … won’t pay for anything but a pill,” University of Cincinnati professor Judith Feinberg told the BBC in 2017.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026

Even if those results go in the Foxes' favour, anything but a win against promotion-chasing Millwall on Friday will send Leicester down.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

“Also, I got trained in first aid last year with my Girl Scout troop! I don’t have the certificate or anything, but it still sounds cool. We could include that on our flyers, right?”

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller