all but

anything but, nothing but, all but, none but

这些短语均由代词加前置词but(除开)构成，但含义各不相同。
anything but: (=not at all, by no means, never)表示“决不，根本不”。
nothing but: (=only)表示“只不过，除了……以外什么也没有”。
all but: (=almost, nearly)表示“几乎，差一点”。
none but: (=no one except)表示“只有；除……外谁也不”。

副词 all but:

1. (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished
   同义词：about, just about, almost, most, nearly, near, nigh, virtually, well-nigh

1. It was all but impossible to climb back into the boat.
   再回到小船上已几乎不可能了。
2. He is the chairman of the committee in all but the name.
   除了没挂名以外，实际上他就是委员会的主席。
3. The party was all but over when we arrived.
   我们到的时候，晚会几乎要结束了。
4. All but the morning star have disappeared.
   除掉金星以外其他的星星全都消失了。
5. The car all but ran over him.
   车子几乎把他撵过去。
6. I all but stumbled.
   我几乎摔倒了。
7. All but crying with relief.
   快乐地差一点大叫起来
8. He was all but killed by the traffic accident.
   他几乎死于车祸。