English Phrase of the Day

not at all

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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