ENGLISH
REFERENCE

not by any means

idiom
Meaning

Not at all, not in the slightest


Examples
SIMPLE

This is not by any means an easy task.

CONTEXTUAL

The project is not by any means finished, so we need to keep working through the weekend.

COMPLEX

The evidence provided is not by any means sufficient to prove his guilt, leaving the jury with significant doubts about the case.

Anchors to
Related idioms1entry
  1. 01

    live beyond one's means

    Have a lifestyle where one's spending regularly exceeds one's income.

© 2026 English Reference