English Phrase of the Day

Definitions

English > English
so much as
1. adv. Even; suggests a minimum, especially regarding what might be expected.
Without so much as asking, he walked into the office and started digging through their files.
2. adv. But rather.
I'm not staring at her breasts so much as admiring her brooch.
Analysis
So
1. n. A Mon-Khmer-speaking people of Laos and Thailand.
2. conj. In order that.
Eat your broccoli so you can have dessert.
3. conj. With the result that; for that reason; therefore.
I was hungry so I asked if there was any more food.
much		©
1. det. A large amount of.
2. det. (now archaic, or nonstandard) A great number of; many (people).
3. det. (now Caribbean, African-American) Many ( + plural noun).
4. adj. (obsolete) Large, great.
5. adv. To a great extent.
As
1. n. plural of A
She went from getting Cs and Ds to earning straight As.
2. adv. To such an extent or degree.
You’re not as tall as I am.
It's not as well made, but it's twice as expensive.

Example Sentences

You shout if he so much as twitches.  Not so much as a runny nose.  In rehearsal, he sings with the cast, waves his arms and whirls about so much as he directs them to run screaming from molten lava that he almost gets caught in the stampede.

Review previous phrases