Смысл: least

least1. [li:st] n
<Í> минимальное количество; минимальная степень; самое меньшее
at least - а) минимально; at least five hours - по меньшей мере /как минимум/ пять часов; б) во всяком /в крайнем/ случае
you might at least say you are sorry - вы могли бы, по крайней мере, извиниться
the least said the better - чем меньше сказано, тем лучше; (об этом) лучше не говорить
not in the least - ни в малейшей степени, ничуть, нисколько
I'm not in the least tired - я совсем не устал
would you mind holding this box? - Not in the least - вам не трудно подержать эту коробку? - Нисколько /≅ С удовольствием/
the least he could do is to pay for the damage - он мог бы по крайней мере возместить ущерб
it doesn't matter in the least - а) это совершенно неважно; б) пожалуйста, не беспокойтесь (ответ на извинение)
nobody would worry in the least - никто ни капельки не испугается /не будет волноваться/
to say the least (of it) - говоря без преувеличений; по меньшей мере
it's a lie, to say the least - это, мягко говоря /по меньшей мере/, ложь
♢ (the) least said (the) soonest mended - посл. ≅ словами делу не поможешь; разговорами можно только испортить дело

2. [li:st] a
<Í> 1. superl от little II
2. наименьший, малейший
the least chance - малейший шанс
least radius - наименьший радиус (поворота и т. п.)
the least distance - кратчайшее расстояние
not the least mercy - ни капельки жалости
not the least wind - ни малейшего ветерка
least in number - наименьший по количеству
at the least estimate - по самой скромной оценке, минимально
least possible trouble - с наименьшими хлопотами; с наименьшей затратой сил
it is the least successful of his plays - это наименее удачная из его пьес
it is the least of my anxieties - об этом я волнуюсь меньше всего
3. малый (в зоологич. названиях)
4. арх. нижайший по положению; слабейший; наихудший

3. [li:st] adv
<Í> 1. superl от little III
2. менее всего, в наименьшей степени
least of all - менее всего, в наименьшей степени
least of all would I want to hurt your feelings - я меньше всего хочу задеть /оскорбить/ ваши чувства
nobody can complain, you least of all - никто не может жаловаться, а вы и подавно
not least - не в самую последнюю очередь (по важности)
trade has been bad, not least because of import barriers - торговля шла плохо, что в значительной степени объясняется ограничениями на импорт
3. для образования превосх. ст. прилагательных и наречий со значением менее всего:
least beautiful [intelligent, dangerous] - самый некрасивый [глупый, менее всего опасный]

at the very least Идиома

at least

not very much, very little to ask At least he could have phoned. He could have done that.

in the least

in any way, at all Oil prices went up, but the price of gas didn't change in the least.

last but not least

the last one on the list but not the least important Last but not least is Carla, winner of the spelling contest.

not in the least

not at all毫不；一点也不
I am not in the least suspicious of it．对此我毫不怀疑。
She wasn't in the least afraidher Dad was with her．她一点儿也不害怕，因为她父亲和她在一起。

when least expected

Idiom(s): when least expected

Theme: SURPRISE

when one does not expect (something).
• An old car is likely to give you trouble when least expected.
• My pencil usually breaks when least expected.

to say the least

Idiom(s): to say the least

Theme: IGNORE

at the very least; without dwelling on the subject.
• We were not at all pleased with her work—to say the least.
• When they had an accident, they were upset to say the least.

path of least resistance

Idiom(s): path of least resistance

Theme: EASY

to do the easiest thing; to take the easiest route.
• John will follow the path of least resistance.
• I like challenges. I won't usually take the path of least resistance.

line of least resistance

Idiom(s): line of least resistance

Theme: EFFORT

the course of action that will cause least trouble or effort.
• Jane won't stand up for her rights. She always takes the line of least resistance.
• Joan never states her point of view. She takes the line of least resistance and agrees with everyone else.

least of all

Idiom(s): least of all

Theme: IMPORTANCE - LACKING

least; of smallest importance. (Informal.)
• There were many things wrong with the new house. Least of all, the water faucets leaked.
• What a bad day. Many things went wrong, but least of all, I tore my shirt.

Advice is least heeded when most needed.

When a problem is serious, people often do not follow the advice given.

at the actual least

1. At or of the everyman bulk possible; at the complete minimum. Often indicates the acceptance that a greater bulk is acceptable or should be considered. I apperceive you don't accept abundant money, but you should pay for your own banquet at the actual least. The architect said the adjustment assignment would amount $900 at the actual least.2. In any event; regardless; admitting what abroad may accept happened or is the case. I apperceive you aren't absorbed in seeing this play, but at the actual atomic we'll accept a nice night out on the town. I apperceive you don't see eye to eye with your father, but he's aggravating to advance a accord with you at the actual least.Learn more: least, very

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More Idioms/Phrases

alive and well advanced in years add fuel to the flame able to standing on one's head able to breathe freely again Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Accidents will happen. Actions speak louder than words. Advice is least heeded when most needed. All cats are grey in the dark. All that glitters is not gold. All days are short to Industry and long to Idlenes All is fair in love and war All things grow with time - except grief. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.