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
But not until Vrabel had Schooler ever seen a head coach quite like this.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Ghilagaber says the mother was released, but not until five days later, when her documents were apprehended by agents.
—Jason Rantala, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
What they haven’t traditionally been known as, though, are fashion icons, at least not until recently.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Abraham initially announced a run for Austin mayor on TMZ before learning the next mayoral election is not until 2028.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for not until
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Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Ghilagaber says the mother was released, but not until five days later, when her documents were apprehended by agents.
—Jason Rantala, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
What they haven’t traditionally been known as, though, are fashion icons, at least not until recently.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Abraham initially announced a run for Austin mayor on TMZ before learning the next mayoral election is not until 2028.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
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 1 Feb. 2026.
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