Idiom idiom
by no means
Meaning
not at all. You use this to emphasize that something is definitely not true or will not happen.
Examples
“This task is by no means easy.”
“The project is by no means finished, so we need to work through the weekend.”
“The evidence presented was by no means conclusive, leaving the jury with significant doubts about the defendant's guilt.”
Origin
From *by* + *no* + *means*, where the final element functions as the condition or instrument to achieve a result.
Last updated April 22, 2026