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Anywhere / Anything / Anyone but

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

15 August 2026

Anywhere / Anything / Anyone but

We use this expression to say that the person, place or thing talked about is the opposite of what we want, or the opposite of reality.

Written: Yes

Spoken: No

Formal: No

Informal: Yes

Example 1

Did you have a good holiday?

Anything but! It was terrible from start to finish.

Example 2

What do you like doing on holiday? Lying on a beach somewhere?

Anything but! I hate beaches. I prefer hiking in the mountains, or visiting museums.

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