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
Jack is going to get promoted, but not until he’s developed more.
—
George Bradt, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
The team and Lamb did eventually reach a deal, but not until August 26, following the final preseason game of 2024.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
Lamont, who had proposed boosting special education aid by $40 million — but not until July 2026 — countered that the state budget already was on pace to exceed the budget cap and that legislators needed to make tough choices and trim spending.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025
Max Verstappen will not be leaving Red Bull after all—at least not until after next year at the earliest.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for not until
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George Bradt, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
The team and Lamb did eventually reach a deal, but not until August 26, following the final preseason game of 2024.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
Lamont, who had proposed boosting special education aid by $40 million — but not until July 2026 — countered that the state budget already was on pace to exceed the budget cap and that legislators needed to make tough choices and trim spending.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025
Max Verstappen will not be leaving Red Bull after all—at least not until after next year at the earliest.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2025.
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