nothing if not

English

Etymology

Literally, asserts the truth of a statement by saying that the alternative is void.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈnʌθɪŋ ɪf nɒt/

Adverb

nothing if not (not comparable)

2. (idiomatic) Certainly; definitely; (sometimes also obliquely) thoroughly; wholly; to a high degree; extremely.

   Antonym: anything but

   Coordinate term: a bit

   Near-synonyms: nothing less than, nothing but

   He's nothing if not a liar.

   He is certainly a liar.

   Well, thrift is a virtue, and he's nothing if not careful with money.

   Not only denotes that he is certainly careful with money (frugal) but also obliquely implies that he is very careful with money (miserly).

Usage notes

The degree connotation relies heavily on idiomaticity; there is no literal logic to it.