not until
idiom
: not before
Not until you finish your homework can you go outside.
When you finish your homework you can go outside, but not until then.
Examples of not until in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Apparently not… not until later that is, when the other two sit around and talk about Kate.
—
Dan Heching, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
That would require a significant trade-up from seventh overall — keep in mind, the Jets don’t pick again until 42nd overall (second round) and then not until the 92nd pick, in the third round.
—Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Although the midterm elections are not until November 3, 2026, campaigning and fundraising for key races are expected to ramp up soon.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
Layoffs aren’t likely to show up in federal data for another month, and not until September for those who take the severance deal, according to Piper Sandler.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for not until
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dan Heching, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
That would require a significant trade-up from seventh overall — keep in mind, the Jets don’t pick again until 42nd overall (second round) and then not until the 92nd pick, in the third round.
—Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Although the midterm elections are not until November 3, 2026, campaigning and fundraising for key races are expected to ramp up soon.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
Layoffs aren’t likely to show up in federal data for another month, and not until September for those who take the severance deal, according to Piper Sandler.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for not until
Cite this Entry
“Not until.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20until. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share