not for a minute

not for a minute

Not for any length of time; not at any point; not at all or in any capacity. Not for a minute did I think this would be a winning ticket, so I was totally gobsmacked to find out I'd won the jackpot! A: "So, did you suspect we were throwing you a surprise party?" B: "No, not for a minute!"

See also: minute, not

not for a/one ˈminute/ˈmoment/ˈsecond/ˈinstant

(informal) not at all; definitely not: I didn’t think for a minute that he was married. ♢ Not for one instant would I ever consider going there on holiday again.

See also: instant, minute, moment, not, one, second