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3. anything but

anything but

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anything but

Not at all. I thought the play would be great, but it was anything but. In fact, I left early! My vacation was anything but relaxing because my hotel was under construction.

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anything but

not The minister and the church leaders are all deaf, yet the service is anything but silent.

Usage notes: used to emphasize that something is the opposite of what you might expect

See also: anything, but

anything but

By no means, not at all, as in He is anything but ambitious for a promotion. William Wordsworth in his long poem, The Prelude (1805-1806), wrote: "Grief call it not, 'twas anything but that."

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anything but

By no means; not at all: I was anything but happy about going.

See also: anything, but