all but meaning

Adverb: all but  ol bút

1. (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
   "the car all but ran her down"
   - about, almost, most, nearly, near, nigh, virtually, well-nigh

[American slang]
adv. phr. Very nearly; almost. Crows all but destroyed a farmer's field of corn. The hikers were exhausted and all but frozen when they were found.

Examples

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1. the monster had all but wrecked the ship.
2. her awkwardness had all but passed.
3. he all but coveted the pleasant drawing-room.
4. fitzpiers stumbled and all but fell.
5. the right wrist of the sheriff was all but dislocated.