# all but

idiom · CEFR C1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/all-but
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

almost or nearly. You use this to say that something is so close to being true that the difference does not matter.

## Examples

- The project is all but finished now.
- After the storm destroyed the roof, the house was all but ruined.
- With the deadline approaching and the data still incomplete, the team realized that success was all but impossible.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.