By no means
Example: This is by no means an easy task to complete.
Definition
"By no means" is an expression used to emphasize that something is definitely not true or will definitely not happen. For example, saying "This is by no means an easy task" stresses that the task is certainly difficult and not simple at all.
Etymology
The phrase "by no means" dates back to the 16th century and combines "by," a preposition indicating agency or cause, with "no means," meaning no method or way. Together, it emphatically denies any possibility, literally meaning 'not in any way.' Did you know it has remained a strong negation tool in English for centuries?
Learn to use this expression actively
"By no means" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (B2) - set 1", containing 103 commonly used expressions.
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