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JKBelieve Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

'....all but.......' I don't understand this phrase

'he has all but declared war on them' what does it mean? Did 'he' declare war or didn't he? It's confusing please tell me ^^

Thank you
  

Top answer

It's a figurative statement that taken literally means he has done everything except declare war. Its actual meaning is that he has done many hostile actions but not yet declared war.

— Vorpar

  • It's a figurative statement that taken literally means he has done everything except declare war.
  • Its actual meaning is that he has done many hostile actions but not yet declared war.
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2 Answers
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It's a figurative statement that taken literally means he has done everything except declare war. Its actual meaning is that he has done many hostile actions but not yet declared war.
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It means 'nearly' or 'almost.' These adverbs imply that the thing, whatever it is, did not actually happen.

"The truck all but hit him." This means he wasn't actually hit by the truck. The truck passed very close by him, almost knocking him down.
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