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

So what would happen if Congress did place a limit on the maximum credit card interest rate — if not 10%, then 15% or 18%, as has been proposed in the past? —Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026

People forget that emotionally, success can sometimes be just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than lack of success. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2026

But at one point Trump derailed the interview to insist that Dokoupil likely wouldn't be helming the news show if not for his big victory. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026

One challenge of the reconciliation process is that the Senate parliamentarian often rules some measures in a reconciliation package to be out of order if not in compliance with the Byrd Rule, which requires reconciliation legislation to be related to budget or tax. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for if not

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