Anything but

Meaning

The idiom "anything but" means to do or have something that is opposite or completely different from what is desired or expected.

Usage

• I wish I could go anywhere but here on vacation.
• She said she would eat anything but vegetables.
• He promised he wouldn't miss the meeting, but he showed up late anyway.
• The team's performance was nothing short of dismal, anything but what was expected of them.
• I don't like traveling by air, anything but flying scares me.

Roots and History

The phrase "anything but" has been in use since the early 19th century. It first appeared in print in the mid-1800s and has since become a common idiom used to express disappointment or frustration.

Synonyms in English

• Despite
• In spite of
• Notwithstanding
• Even so
• Nonetheless

Synonyms in other languages

• Français: Malgré
• Español: Aunque
• Italiano: Anche se
• German: Trotzdem
• Japanese: でも (demo)

Similar Idioms

• nip in the bud

• a whole new ball game

• bump into