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View Full Version : the phrase "all but ________"


hypatia_
03-01-2014, 06:05 PM
What is the difference between "it was all but uncontrollable" and "it was uncontrollable."
kev67
03-01-2014, 06:37 PM
it was all but uncontrollable = only just controllable
JBI
03-01-2014, 08:59 PM
it was all but uncontrollable = only just controllable

Basically it's an employment of litotes.
Jes Grew
03-01-2014, 09:40 PM
It was uncontrollable = it was out of control

It was anything but uncontrollable = it was completely controllable/functional