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!

See also: but, cannot

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 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