not for a moment

Idioms

Never, not in the least, as in Not for a moment did I believe he was telling the truth. This expression employs moment in the sense of “the tiniest length of time,” a usage dating from the mid-1300s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

not for a moment

Lincoln warned lawyers that they should not "for a moment yield to the popular belief" and urged them "to be honest at all events."

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2023

“I did not for a moment imagine it would take this long.”

From New York Times ● Aug. 7, 2022

The presidents cannot cede leverage during their search, not for a moment.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 26, 2021

Boseman was so singular that not for a moment was he lost in such an assemblage of talent.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 31, 2020

I had not deceived him though, not for a moment.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023