if not

idiom

1

—used to talk about the negative result or effect of something

You should study. If not, you won't pass the test.

2

—used to express surprise about meeting someone when it is not expected

So I went to the game and who should I see there if not my old friend Tom!

Examples of if not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That crisis could’ve served as a wake-up call—a sign that Macron should adopt a more collaborative approach, if not reconsider some of his more unpopular economic policies—but Macron took a different course. —Cole Stangler, Time, 9 Sep. 2025

Hill would be 1b (if not, at times, 1a) to Metcalf. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

The Steelers wouldn’t have even been in position for that last touchdown pass if not for a brutal error by Xavier Gipson, filling in at kick returner after Kene Nwangwu left with an injury. —Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

Regulators are responsible for establishing a robust rationale for rejection; if not, the application is granted automatically. —Nick Sargen, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Rhymes for if not

• allot
• barat
• begot
• besought
• bethought
• bloodshot
• boycott
• buckshot
• crackpot
• croat
• culottes
• dashpot