| 释义 |
in the least
least L0092000 (lēst)adj.A superlative of little1. Lowest in importance or rank.2. a. Smallest in magnitude or degree.b. Slightest or tiniest: didn't care the least bit.adv.Superlative of little To or in the lowest or smallest degree.n. One that is the lowest or smallest in importance, rank, magnitude, or degree: The dinner menu is the least of my worries tonight. The least you can do is to be polite.Idioms: at least1. According to the lowest possible assessment; not less than: We waited at least an hour.2. Regardless of what has occurred or will occur; in any case: You might at least answer the letter.3. Used to emphasize a somewhat positive aspect following a negative one: The results weren't encouraging, but at least they were accurate. in the least At all: I don't mind in the least. least of all Particularly not: Nobody cared, least of all the manager.
[Middle English, from Old English lǣst; see leis- in Indo-European roots.]Thesaurus| Adv. | 1. | in the least - to any extent at all; "are you in the least interested?"even a little | | 2. | in the least - in the slightest degree or in any respect; "Are you at all interested? No, not at all"; "was not in the least unfriendly"at all, the least bit |
Translationsin the least
in the least1. At all or in any way. These phrases are typically used in the negative. We are not concerned in the least about the impact it may have on our profits this year. A: "Do you mind if I tag along this afternoon?" B: "Not in the least!"2. To a significantly lesser degree. The region has been in turmoil for years, not in the least because of violent political tensions between the two countries.See also: leastin the leastAlso, in the slightest. At all, in the smallest degree. These terms are nearly always used in a negative context. For example, I don't care in the least what you do with the money, or It doesn't matter in the slightest whether or not you attend. [c. 1600] They may also be put as not in the least or not in the slightest, as in I am not in the least worried about the outcome, or The heat doesn't bother me in the slightest. In the least dates from about 1600; in the slightest has been used in the sense of "emphatically unimportant or trifling" since the late 1500s. See also: least(ˌnot) in the ˈleast (used in negative sentences, questions and if clauses) (not) at all: She wasn’t in the least afraid. ♢ If you are in the least worried about it, then ask somebody for help.See also: least in the least At all: I don't mind in the least.See also: leastin the least
Related to in the least: in the first place, not to mention, conferred, underwent, I couldn't agree more, pat on the back, beyond reproach, waylaidSynonyms for in the leastadv to any extent at allSynonymsadv in the slightest degree or in any respectSynonyms |