by any means

Idioms  

1. In any possible way, no matter how, as in By any means I've got to get there. [Late 1400s] Also see by hook or crook; by means of; by no means.

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Example Sentences

But rather than extricate themselves by any means short of actually calling the police, they sink deeper and deeper into an all-consuming situation, their efforts to survive becoming increasingly extreme, never mind unlikely.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

"The SMC went through a catastrophic crash that injected a lot of energy into the system. It is not a 'normal' galaxy by any means," Besla said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

The night before the Academy Awards, I found myself — not an important person in the industry by any means — at two separate parties.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

"I don't want to tar every business with the same brush by any means, but there is some profiteering."

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Charles was not all science by any means: He bathed the baby, kissed him, hugged him, walked him when he cried; he was anything but the stereotypical distant father so often portrayed in Victorian literature.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

Related Words

• conceivably
• likely
• perhaps
• probably