by any means

by any means

In any possible way. Often used in the negative. We need to court that big investor by any means, so shameless flattery is a fine place to start! Not by any means shall our country be drawn into yet another war overseas. We need to take back power by any means necessary!

See also: any, by, mean

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

by any means

by any way possible. I need to get there soon by any means. I must win this contest by any means, fair or unfair.

See also: any, by, mean

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

by any means

In any possible way, no matter how, as in By any means I've got to get there. [Late 1400s] Also see by hook or crook; by means of; by no means.

See also: any, by, mean

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.

by any means

In any way possible; to any extent: not by any means an easy opponent.

See also: any, by, mean

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.