English Phrase of the Day

Definitions

English > English
not at all		©
1. adv. (emphatic) Not.
He's not at all friendly towards his ex-wife.
2. interj. Used similarly to you're welcome, as a conventional reply to an expression of gratitude.
Thank you for this very thoughtful present. — Not at all.
Analysis
not		©
1. adv. Negates the meaning of the modified verb.
Did you take out the trash? No, I did not.
Not knowing any better, I went ahead.
2. adv. To no degree.
That is not red; it's orange.
at		©
1. prep. In, near, or in the general vicinity of a particular place.
Caesar was at Rome;  at the corner of Fourth Street and Vine;  at Jim’s house
2. prep. (indicating time) (Indicating occurrence in an instant of time or a period of time relatively short in context or from the speaker's perspective.)
at six o’clock;  at closing time;  at night.
3. prep. In the direction of (often in an unfocused or uncaring manner).
all		©
1. adv. (degree) intensifier.
It suddenly went all quiet.
She was all, “Whatever.”
2. adv. (poetic) Entirely.
3. adv. Apiece; each.

Example Sentences

But you're not at all like that.  There has been a rumour that I am not at all pleased with the judges.  So if from time to time you see in me, like an abstracted stillness, melancholy still my eyes, it's I'm a woman living lonely and not at all that I'm unhappy.  She is neatly dressed not at all haggard, except for a weariness in her eyes.  This translates into thousands of patients being looked after by locums, or not at all.

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