all but

Idioms and Phrases

Almost, nearly, as in I've all but finished the book . This expression was used by Andrew Marvell in “Thoughts in a Garden”: “ Society is all but rude, To this delicious solitude .” [Late 1500s]

Example Sentences

He also survived the 2018 Camp fire that killed 85 people and all but destroyed Paradise.

From Los Angeles Times

Vice President-elect JD Vance revealed in a since-deleted post on X that he and President-elect Donald Trump are interviewing candidates for FBI director, which all but confirms that the current director, Christopher Wray, an appointee from Trump's first term in office, is about to get fired.

From Salon

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the decision to restrict the £300 payment to all but the poorest pensioners this winter was made with a "heavy heart".

From BBC

The state reported that the child has not had contact with farm animals — which is the case for all but a few other confirmed cases in this growing outbreak — leaving unanswered questions regarding sources of exposure.

From Salon

By winning Group B4, Wales not only secured an instant return to the top tier of the Nations League, but also all but guaranteed at least a play-off for the World Cup.

From BBC

Related Words

• approximately
• basically
• essentially
• morally
• nearly
• virtually