just
adverb /dʒʌst/
/dʒʌst/
Idioms - only
- There is just one method that might work.
- just for something I decided to learn Japanese just for fun.
- just to do something I waited an hour just to see you.
- ‘Can I help you?’ ‘No thanks, I'm just looking.’ (= in a shop)
- simply
- It was just an ordinary day.
- I just want to help.
- I just think you should wait a bit.
- We'll just have to hope for the best.
- I'm just saying there are risks involved.
- I'm just glad you're OK.
- (informal) That's just plain stupid.
- I can't just drop all my commitments.
- This essay is just not good enough.
- I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that I had to tell somebody.
- This is not just another disaster movie—it's a masterpiece.
- It has to be green—and not just any green, but a very precise shade of olive.
- Just because you're older than me doesn't mean you know everything.
- (informal) It just kind of happened.
- If she doesn't like, that's just too bad.
- I'm just so sick of this.
- They just never give up.
- by a small amount
- You've just missed her.
- They just made it, boarding the aircraft minutes before take-off.
- I only just caught the train.
- just over something Inflation fell to just over 4 per cent.
- just under something The painting sold for just under £6 million.
- just after/before something I got here just after nine.
- just after/before… They must have got there just before I did.
- just prior to something He visited Guatemala just prior to his death.
- just short of something They're now the largest party, through just short of an overall majority.
- used to say that you/somebody did something or something happened very recently
- I've just heard the news.
- When you arrived, he had only just left.
- She has just been telling us about her trip to Rome.
- (especially North American English) I just saw him a moment ago.
- (especially North American English) She was just here.
- Just last week it was snowing and now it's 25 degrees.
British/American already / just / yetalready / just / yet- Already and yet are usually used with the present perfect tense, but in North American English they can also be used with the simple past tense:
- I already did it.
- Did you eat yet?
- However, this is much more common in spoken than in written English and some Americans do not consider it acceptable, even in speech. The present perfect is more common in North American English and almost always used in British English:
- I’ve already done it.
- Have you eaten yet?
- I already knew this because Mike had told me.
- Just is mostly used with the perfect tenses in British English and with the simple past in North American English:
- (British English) I’ve just had some bad news.
- (North American English) I just got some bad news.
- at this/that moment; now
- I'm just finishing my book.
- I was just beginning to enjoy myself when we had to leave.
- I'm just off (= I am leaving now).
- exactly
- This jacket is just my size.
- With him, everything always has to to be just right.
- This gadget is just the thing for getting those nails out.
- Just my luck (= the sort of bad luck I usually have). My phone needs recharging.
- You're just in time.
- just like somebody/something She looks just like her mother.
- just what… It's just what I wanted!
- just as… It's just as I thought.
- just on something (British English) It's just on six (= exactly six o'clock).
- just as… at the same moment as
- The clock struck six just as I arrived.
- just as good, nice, easily, etc. no less than; equally
- She's just as smart as her sister.
- You can get there just as cheaply by plane.
- going to do something only a few moments from now or then
- just about to do something The water's just about to boil.
- just going to do something I was just going to tell you when you interrupted.
- (informal) really; completely
- The food was just wonderful!
- The trip was just amazing!
- Relax—you're doing just fine.
- I can just imagine his reaction.
- used in orders to get somebody’s attention, give permission, etc.
- Just listen to what I'm saying, will you!
- Just help yourselves.
- used to make a polite request, excuse, etc.
- Could you just help me with this box, please?
- I've just got a few things to do first.
- could/might/may just used to show a slight possibility that something is true or will happen
- Try asking Mike—he might just know the answer.
- used to agree with somebody
- ‘He's very pompous.’ ‘Isn't he just?’
Word Originlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin justus, from jus ‘law, right’.
Idioms
could/might just as well…
- used to say that you/somebody would have been in the same position if you had done something else, because you got little benefit or pleasure from what you did do
- The weather was so bad we might just as well have stayed at home.
(just) in case (…)
- because of the possibility of something happening
- You'd better take the keys in case I'm out.
- You probably won't need to call—but take my number, just in case.
- In case (= if it is true that) you’re wondering why Jo’s here—let me explain…
it is just as well (that…)
- it is a good thing
- It is just as well that we didn't leave any later or we'd have missed him.
I, etc. would just as soon do something
- used to say that you would equally well like to do something as do something else that has been suggested
- I'd just as soon stay at home as go out tonight.
just about (informal)
- almost; very nearly
- I've met just about everyone.
- ‘Did you reach your sales target?’ ‘Just about.’
- approximately
- She should be arriving just about now.
just like that
- suddenly, without warning or explanation
just a minute/moment/second
- (informal) used to ask somebody to wait for a short time
- ‘Is Mr Burns available?’ ‘Just a second, please, I'll check.’
just now
- at this moment
- Come and see me later—I'm busy just now.
- during this present period
- Business is good just now.
- only a short time ago
- I saw her just now.
- (South African English, informal) later; in a short period of time
just so
- done or arranged very accurately or carefully
- He liked polishing the furniture and making everything just so.
just then
- at that moment
- Just then, someone knocked at the front door.
just the ticket
(British English also just the job)
- (informal, approving) exactly what is needed in a particular situation
- That cup of tea was just the ticket.
let's just say
- used when commenting on a situation to suggest that you could say something more or worse but prefer not to
- Let's just say he wasn't very happy about the decision (= he was very unhappy or angry about it).
not just yet
- not now but probably quite soon
- I can't give you the money just yet.