Idioms

nothing but

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nothing but

1. To the exclusion of all else. Tom talks about nothing but sports whenever I see him. My toddler is so fussy. At the moment, he'll eat nothing but cheese and drink nothing but apple juice.
2. A large quantity of or exclusively (the thing that has just been inquired about). Typically used hyperbolically. A: "Do you have any extra pens?" B: "Nothing but! Take your pick."
See also: but, nothing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

nothing but

only; just. Jane drinks nothing but milk. Dave buys nothing but expensive clothes.
See also: but, nothing
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

nothing but

Only, as in She thinks of nothing but money. This term was first recorded about 1380.
See also: but, nothing
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.

ˈnothing but

only: Nothing but the freshest vegetables are used in our restaurant.
See also: but, nothing
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive
And Sinn Fein Assembly member Raymond McCartney warned that the people of Derry would settle for nothing but the truth.
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