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
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
While Ansel has created many more pastries since the cronut and launched additional bakeries in New York City and Las Vegas, nothing since has quite captured the attention of the dessert zeitgeist — at least not until Dubai chocolate.
—Shindy Chen
july 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for not until
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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
While Ansel has created many more pastries since the cronut and launched additional bakeries in New York City and Las Vegas, nothing since has quite captured the attention of the dessert zeitgeist — at least not until Dubai chocolate.
—Shindy Chen
july 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 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 6 Aug. 2025.
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