nothin
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."
nothing doing
Under no circumstances; I will not permit it; absolutely not. A: "Mom, can I borrow the car this Saturday?" B: "After the dent you left in it the last time? Nothing doing!"
See also: nothing
nothing to it
1. It is or was very simple or easy; it isn't or wasn't difficult at all. And see? The computer starts up again like new. Nothing to it! A: "Are pancakes hard to make?" B: "Oh no, there's nothing to it."
2. (There is) no truth to it. People like to think I somehow rigged the election, but there's simply nothing to it. A: "And what about the rumors that you leaked the information?" B: "Nothing to it. Simply rumors."
See also: nothing
nothing but
only; just. Jane drinks nothing but milk. Dave buys nothing but expensive clothes.
(There ain't) nothin' to it.
Rur. It is easy. Mary: How do you keep your car so shiny? Tom: There ain't nothin' to it. I just wax it once a week. It took Jane just two minutes to sew up the hole in my shirt. "See?" she said. "Nothin' to it!"
nothing but
Only, as in She thinks of nothing but money. This term was first recorded about 1380.
nothing doing
Certainly not, as in Can I borrow your down coat?-Nothing doing. This colloquial interjection was first recorded in 1910. Also see, no dice.
See also: nothing
nothing doing
1 there is no prospect of success or agreement. 2 nothing is happening. informalSee also: nothing
nothing to it
very simple to do. informalSee also: nothing
ˈnothing but
only: Nothing but the freshest vegetables are used in our restaurant.ˌnothing ˈdoing
(informal) used to refuse a request: ‘Can you lend me ten dollars?’ ‘Nothing doing!’See also: nothing
nothing doing
Informal Certainly not.
See also: nothing