What Does "Not by Any Means" Mean?
"Not by any means" is an English idiom. It is an expression used to emphasize that something cannot or should not be accomplished through any method or way.Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "not by any means" used in a sentence:- Winning the competition won't be easy, but we're determined to succeed, not by any means necessary.
- She emphasized that they should reach their goals ethically, not by any means that could harm others.
- They discussed achieving their dreams through hard work and dedication, not by any means that compromise their values.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Not by Any Means" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "not by any means" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
Gold
Silver
Bronze
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
