All English idioms and phrases - page 126

Meanings of Not-many:

phrase

Few, no, or not many people interested in what has been offered

Usage examples:

I put an ad on the website to sell my bike but i haven't had any takers., houses in the higher pric…

Meanings of Not-mince-words:

phrase

Speak candidly and directly, especially when criticizing someone or something.

Usage examples:

A gruff surgeon who does not mince words

idiom

To say what you mean as clearly and directly as possible

Usage examples:

The report does not mince words, describing the situation as extremely serious.

Meanings of Not-much:

idiom

Very little, or nothing that is important or interesting

Usage examples:

I had nothing much to do that day., "what did she have to say?" "not much, really."

Meanings of Not-much-to-look-at:

idiom

To not be attractive

Usage examples:

The house isn't much to look at but it's spacious.

Meanings of Not-often:

idiom

Usually

Usage examples:

In winter it rains a lot, and more often than not, you're carrying an umbrella.

Meanings of Not-on:

idiom

Something that is not on is unacceptable and should not happen

Usage examples:

You can't be expected to work for nothing - it's not on.

Meanings of Not-on-your-life:

idiom

Said as a way of strongly refusing someone's suggestion or request

Usage examples:

"so you're going to bring kev, are you?" "not on your life!"

Meanings of Not-quite-right:

idiom

To not have one or more of the mental abilities that most people have

Meanings of Not-right:

idiom

To be not thinking clearly or to be mentally ill

Usage examples:

My poor old granny isn't in her right mind half the time.

Meanings of Not-sit-well-with-someone:

idiom

To be difficult for someone to agree with or accept

Usage examples:

The principal's decision did not sit well with many parents.

Meanings of Not-so-much:

idiom

Used to refer back to something that has been mentioned, saying that it is less true for someone or something else

Usage examples:

If you like it, fine, but for me, not so much., i'm ready to start eating more healthily. my husban…

Meanings of Not-so-much-as:

idiom

If you say that something is not so much one thing as something else, you mean it is more the second thing

Usage examples:

They're not so much lovers as friends., i don't feel angry so much as sad.

Meanings of Not-straight:

idiom

To be unable to use your mind in an effective way

Usage examples:

I was so tired, i couldn't think straight.

Meanings of Not-take-no-for-an-answer:

idiom

To not allow someone to refuse what you have offered

Usage examples:

I told steve i'm not interested, but he keeps asking me out - he won't take no for an answer.

Meanings of Not-the-same:

idiom

Not as good

Usage examples:

You can make shortbread with margarine instead of butter, but it isn't the same.

Meanings of Not-there:

idiom

To not start to think about or discuss a subject

Usage examples:

"then there's the guilt i feel about leaving her for seven hours every day." "don't even go there!"

Meanings of Not-to-be-sneezed-at:

idiom

If you say that something, especially an amount of money, is not to be sneezed at, you mean that it is a large enough amount to be worth having

Usage examples:

Well, a five percent pay increase means an extra $700 a year, which is not to be sneezed at!

Meanings of Not-to-mention:

idiom

Much less

phrase

Used to introduce an additional point which reinforces the point being made.

Usage examples:

I'm amazed you find the time, not to mention the energy, to do any work at all

Meanings of Not-together:

idiom

To be very poor

Meanings of Not-too-bad:

idiom

Satisfactory; ok

Usage examples:

"how are you?" "not too bad, thanks - ready for my vacation to start!"

Meanings of Not-touch:

idiom

Someone does not want a particular thing or person at all, or does not want to have anything at all to do with it or them

Usage examples:

Don't tell granny we made the cake or she's not going to touch it with a bargepole., if they offere…

Meanings of Not-true:

idiom

Used to emphasize an adjective

Usage examples:

Julie's brother's so handsome it's not true.

Meanings of Not-until:

idiom

Not before a stated time or event

Usage examples:

Don’t move until i tell you.

Meanings of Not-up-to:

idiom

To not be of good quality

Usage examples:

The food wasn't up to much.

Meanings of Not-well:

idiom

To be difficult for someone to agree with or accept

Usage examples:

The principal's decision did not sit well with many parents.