but good
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Emphatically, thoroughly, as in Ruth decided to clean up the whole yard but good. The word but in this colloquialism functions as an intensive. Also see and how.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Words nearby but good
butenedioic acid, buteo, Buteshire, Buteyko method, but for, but good, Buthelezi, butler, butlerage, butler's pantry, butler's sideboard
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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