none too

Idioms  

1. Also, not too. Not very, as in The application arrived none too soon, or I'm afraid this secretary is not too smart, or He was here not too long ago. The first usage was first recorded in 1885; the variant dates from about 1920. Also see not all that.

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Example Sentences

More such actions are expected under an April executive order—and none too soon.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s art, you big Globe,” she said to the lady, none too respectfully.

From Literature

He was none too pleased to be sent out at that hour himself.

From Literature

She owed him a visit in any case, if only to tell him how well his training techniques had worked on all sorts of unexpected creatures: a runaway ostrich, for example, or a sweet-natured if none too intelligent squirrel, or even three bright and curious children who had had a rather...unusual upbringing....

From Literature

“Don’t be dramatic, dear. Think of it as a nature hike. Bertha is fast but none too bright; it shouldn’t take us long to catch her. With any luck we’ll be back by supper. Wouldn’t want to trouble that trigger-happy son of yours to come find us, eh?”

From Literature