All but

Definition 1 of 2

Pro Tip 1/3

Expectation Setting

Indicates a situation is nearing certainty, often used to manage or set expectations.

Illustration for Expectation Setting

The team is all but assured to win the championship this year.

Pro Tip 2/3

Literary Flair

Adds drama or emphasis in storytelling, common in novels or descriptive language.

Illustration for Literary Flair

The ancient castle was all but a ruin, with only one tower still standing tall.

Pro Tip 3/3

Emotional Nuance

Can express resignation or a sense of inevitability about a negative outcome.

Illustration for Emotional Nuance

After months of disrepair, my old car is all but useless now.

Visual representation of the word "All but"

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