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
In other words, a die-hard fan of Netflix as a brand isn’t a sure thing—not until fans feel supported themselves.
—
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
Allar didn’t do that Saturday, at least not until late in the game.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
For her part, Hargitay also has shown support for an eventual ‘EO’ romance… but not until the long-running show is about to end.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 26 Sep. 2025
Andrews didn’t stop to answer a single one, not until he was done hearing from an old friend about life, football and what comes next.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for not until
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Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
Allar didn’t do that Saturday, at least not until late in the game.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
For her part, Hargitay also has shown support for an eventual ‘EO’ romance… but not until the long-running show is about to end.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 26 Sep. 2025
Andrews didn’t stop to answer a single one, not until he was done hearing from an old friend about life, football and what comes next.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2025.
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