cannot but

cannot but

Must or cannot resist. A phrase used when one feels very strongly compelled to do something. I cannot but study for this exam—it counts for half of our grade! My mom cannot but meddle in my love life, even though I'm 30 years old! We cannot but intervene here, before you throw your life away on drugs!

See also: but, cannot

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cannot

See the expressions listed at can't and also those at not able.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

cannot

see under can't.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cannot

See entries beginning with can't; also you can't.

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer