Not in the least

Posted by Henry on January 24, 2004

In Reply to: Not in the least posted by pdianek on January 24, 2004

: : : Could someone help me with the phrase "not in the least"? What is the meaning? Thanks.

: : It is the same as "not at all."

: : "Were you upset by what happened?"
: : "Not in the least." Meaning, "No, I wasn't the least bit upset."

: Although the phrase is often used with a great deal of irony:

: "Were you upset?"
: "Not in the least." -- conveyed in a tone that means "I was quite upset, thank you very much!"

"...and last but not least..." - commonly used when giving people credit. The person mentioned last is not the least important person.