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
Alas, though, not until Peterson gets past his own problem.
—
Kansas City Star, 22 Nov. 2025
But these families cannot — not until someone answers for what happened to their daughters.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 18 Nov. 2025
However, that will likely not be determined or announced until the end of the game, or even not until Monday.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
Bergeron offered to take a season off, but was instead let out of his contract — but not until after the season ended.
—David Matthews, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for not until
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Kansas City Star, 22 Nov. 2025
But these families cannot — not until someone answers for what happened to their daughters.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 18 Nov. 2025
However, that will likely not be determined or announced until the end of the game, or even not until Monday.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
Bergeron offered to take a season off, but was instead let out of his contract — but not until after the season ended.
—David Matthews, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 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 28 Nov. 2025.
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