all but got

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but got" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was almost achieved or completed, but not quite. Example: "He was all but got the promotion, but the company decided to hire someone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Other batches were never tested at all, but got shipped with fake lab records saying salmonella screenings were negative.

The Guardian

Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart, a Dogra client, was chosen 13th over all but got a contract worth about a third of Long's.

The New York Times - Sports

I was so excited when I heard that, that I all but got a Maths detention!... My best friends are the Wilson twins.

The New York Times - Books

The daughter of iron ore billionaire Lang Hancock, Rinehart and her fellow mining oligarchs all but got rid of Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd in 2010 when he proposed a modest tax on their huge profits.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I'm told that nuances have been ironed out and it has all but got the approval of the party leadership.

BBC

And it all but got rid of buttons from cellphones.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The woman was not involved in the dispute at all, but getting off a bus".

The New York Times

Well, dig a hole, says Martin Graham, all but getting out his spade.

The Guardian - Music

Independent distribution companies are much less likely to pull out the checkbook while many of the big studios have all but gotten out of the indie film business.

The New York Times

Cameron Laws Hassn't performed well at all but get in Rooney.

BBC

Likes are easy, after all, but getting users to fill up that star bar will require a lot more effort and interaction.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but got" to emphasize a near miss or a result that was very close to being achieved. It adds a touch of drama or irony to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "all but got" when you mean "almost everyone got". "All but" modifies the verb to mean "nearly", not the noun to mean "almost all".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but got" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that something was very close to being achieved or obtained. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis and examples, demonstrating its use to convey near completion without actual success.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

11%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all but got" is a correct and usable phrase in English, functioning as an idiomatic expression to indicate something nearly achieved but not quite. As confirmed by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. When writing, remember that "all but got" emphasizes near completion and is not interchangeable with "almost everyone got". While it's more casual, in formal contexts consider alternatives like "nearly achieved". Despite being uncommon, the meaning is generally well understood and adds color to descriptions of close outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost achieved

Focuses on the accomplishment aspect, suggesting a task was nearly completed.

nearly attained

Emphasizes reaching a certain level or status, just shy of the goal.

virtually secured

Highlights the high probability of success, implying minimal remaining obstacles.

practically guaranteed

Suggests an outcome is highly likely, with little room for failure.

effectively finalized

Emphasizes the completion stage, indicating only minor details remain.

tantamount to having

Implies that the situation is equivalent to possessing something already.

as good as done

An informal expression indicating a task is very close to completion.

on the verge of securing

Suggests being at the immediate point of achieving or obtaining something.

inches away from achieving

Illustrates being extremely close to a successful outcome.

just shy of obtaining

Highlights being slightly short of acquiring something.

FAQs

How can I use "all but got" in a sentence?

Use "all but got" to express that something was very close to being achieved or completed. For example, "He "all but got" the job, but another candidate was chosen".

What's a similar phrase to "all but got"?

Similar phrases include "almost achieved", "nearly attained", or "virtually secured", all indicating a near miss or close completion.

Is "all but gotten" correct, or should I always use "all but got"?

While "all but got" is more common, "all but gotten" can be used, although it's less frequent. Both express a similar idea of near completion, but "all but got" is generally preferred in contemporary usage.

Can "all but got" be used in formal writing?

While acceptable, "all but got" is more suited for informal to neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "nearly achieved" or "virtually secured" for a more professional tone.