just [1] (ADVERB USES)
Please look at category 20 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 adv You use just to say that something happened a very short time ago, or is starting to happen at the present time. For example, if you say that someone has just arrived, you mean that they arrived a very short time ago.
ADV before v
I've just bought a new house..., The two had only just met..., I just had the most awful dream..., I'm only just beginning to take it in that he's still missing.
2 adv If you say that you are just doing something, you mean that you are doing it now and will finish it very soon. If you say that you are just about to do something, or just going to do it, you mean that you will do it very soon.
ADV before v, ADV about/going to-inf
I'm just making the sauce for the cauliflower..., I'm just going to walk down the lane now and post some letters..., The Vietnam War was just about to end.
3 adv You can use just to emphasize that something is happening at exactly the moment of speaking or at exactly the moment that you are talking about.
ADV adv/prep, ADV as/when cl (emphasis)
Randall would just now be getting the Sunday paper..., Just then the phone rang..., Just as she prepared to set off to the next village, two friends arrived in a taxi.
4 adv You use just to indicate that something is no more important, interesting, or difficult, for example, than you say it is, especially when you want to correct a wrong idea that someone may get or has already got.
ADV group/cl (emphasis)
(=simply)
It's just a suggestion..., It's not just a financial matter..., You can tell just by looking at me that I am all right...
5 adv You use just to emphasize that you are talking about a small part, not the whole of an amount.
ADV n (emphasis)
(=only, merely)
That's just one example of the kind of experiments you can do...
6 adv You use just to emphasize how small an amount is or how short a length of time is.
ADV amount (emphasis)
(=only)
Stephanie and David redecorated a room in just three days...
7 adv You can use just in front of a verb to indicate that the result of something is unfortunate or undesirable and is likely to make the situation worse rather than better.
ADV before v
(=only)
Leaving like I did just made it worse...
8 adv You use just to indicate that what you are saying is the case, but only by a very small degree or amount.
ADV adj/adv/prep, ADV before v
Her hand was just visible by the light from the sitting room..., I arrived just in time for my flight to London...
9 adv You use just with `might,' `may,' and `could', when you mean that there is a small chance of something happening, even though it is not very likely.
ADV with modal
It's an old trick but it just might work...
10 adv You use just to emphasize the following word or phrase, in order to express feelings such as annoyance, admiration, or certainty.
ADV before v, ADV adj/n (emphasis)
She just won't relax..., I knew you'd be here. I just knew...
11 adv You use just in expressions such as just a minute and just a moment to ask someone to wait for a short time.
SPOKEN ADV n
(=hold on)
`Let me in, Di.'—`Okay. Just a minute.'
12 adv You can use just in expressions such as just a minute and just a moment to interrupt someone, for example in order to disagree with them, explain something, or calm them down.
SPOKEN ADV n
Well, now just a second, I don't altogether agree with the premise.
13 adv You can use just with negative question tags, for example `isn't he just?' and `don't they just!', to say that you agree completely with what has been said.
(BRIT)
SPOKEN with neg, cl ADV (emphasis)
`That's crazy,' I said. `Isn't it just?' he said..., `The manager's going to have some tough decisions to make.'—`Won't he just.'
14 adv If you say that you can just see or hear something, you mean that it is easy for you to imagine seeing or hearing it.
ADV before v
(=almost)
I can just hear her telling her friends, `Well, I blame his mother!'
15 adv You use just to mean exactly, when you are specifying something precisely or asking for precise information.
ADV cl/prep/adv
There are no statistics about just how many people won't vote..., My arm hurts too, just here...
16 adv You use just to emphasize that a particular thing is exactly what is needed or fits a particular description exactly.
ADV n (emphasis)
Kiwi fruit are just the thing for a healthy snack..., `Let's get a coffee somewhere.'—`I know just the place.'
17 adv You use just in expressions such as just like, just as...as, and just the same when you are emphasizing the similarity between two things or two people.
ADV like n, ADV as adj/adv, ADV n (emphasis)
Behind the facade they are just like the rest of us..., He worked just as hard as anyone...
18 You use just about to indicate that what you are talking about is so close to being the case that it can be regarded as being the case.
just about phrase PHR n/adj/adv
(=practically)
What does she read? Just about everything...
19 You use just about to indicate that what you are talking about is in fact the case, but only by a very small degree or amount.
just about phrase PHR before v, PHR n/adj
We've got just about enough time to get there.
20
→
just my luck
→
luck
→
not just
→
not
→
just now
→
now
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only just
→
only
→
it just goes to show
→
show
