almost

(almost) upon (one)

(Almost) about to happen, arrive, or commence. I can't believe the Christmas season is upon us again. The years seem to be going faster and faster recently! Every time the deadline for filing taxes is almost upon me, I start to get really anxious and irritable.

See also: upon

almost doesn't count

Nearly doing something is not the same as actually doing it. A: "Come on Mom, I almost cleaned my whole room!" B: "I asked you to clean your room this weekend before company comes, and almost doesn't count!"

See also: almost, count

almost lost it

Nearly erupted in an intense display of emotion, usually anger or laughter. I almost lost it on the waitress after she messed up my order for the third time. Paul almost lost it at the airport when he found out that his luggage was missing. Wow, when he slipped on that banana peel, I almost lost it.

See also: almost, lost

almost never

Hardly ever. I almost never go out on Friday nights anymore—I'm too old for that! We almost never travel, so this vacation is a rare treat for us.

See also: almost, never

almost there

1. Soon to be or nearly at, to, or in a given location. Don't get so restless, Mary, we're almost there.

2. Soon to be or nearly finished with some goal or task. Almost there, everyone! We just need three more orders filled and we'll be done.

See also: almost, there

sort of

Somewhat; partially; a little. I'm happy that it's summertime, but I'm still sort of sad that school is over. A: "Are you feeling better?" B: "Sort of. My throat isn't sore anymore but I'm still congested."

See also: of, sort

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

almost lost it

Fig. to nearly lose one's temper, composure, or control, as out of anger. I was so mad, I almost lost it. When he saw the dent in his fender, he almost lost it.

See also: almost, lost

sort of

 and kind of

Yes, but only to a small degree. Bob: Do you like what you're doing in school? Alice: Kind of. Henry: What do you think about all these new laws? Do they worry you? John: Sort of.

See also: of, sort

sort of something

 and kind of something

almost something; somewhat; somehow. Isn't it sort of cold out? That was kind of a stupid thing to do, wasn't it?

See also: of, sort

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

sort of

Informal

Somewhat; rather: "Gambling and prostitution ... have been prohibited, but only sort of" (George F. Will).

See also: of, sort

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.