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]

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.

Least said soonest mended.

The more discreet you are, the less damage you cause.

at least|least

adv. phr. 1. or at the least At the smallest guess; no fewer than; no less than. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day. At least three students are failing in mathematics. Mr. Johnson must weigh 200 pounds at least.
Compare: ALL OF. 2. Whatever else you may say; anyhow; anyway. It was a clumsy move, but at least it saved her from getting hit. She broke her arm, but at least it wasn't the arm she writes with. The Mortons had fun at their picnic yesterday at least the children did they played while their parents cooked the food. He's not coming at least that's what he said.
Compare: AT ANY RATE.

in the least|least

adv. phr. Even a little; in any degree or amount.

Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. Sue did not understand physics in the least. Are you in the least interested in sewing? Mother won't be upset if you come for supper; I'll be surprised if she cares in the least. Mike was not upset in the least by the storm. It is no trouble to help you. Not in the least.
Compare: AT ALL.

last but not least|last|least

adv. phr. In the last place but not the least important. Billy will bring sandwiches, Alice will bring cake, Susan will bring cookies, John will bring potato chips, and last but not least, Sally will bring the lemonade.

line of least resistance|least resistance|line|pat

n. phr. The easiest way; the way that takes least effort. In becoming a doctor like his father John had really just followed the line of least resistance. Some parents take the path of least resistance with their children and let them do as they please.

not in the least|in the least|least

adv. phr. Not at all. She was not in the least interested in listening to a long lecture on ethics.

to say the least|least|say|the least

v. phr. To understate; express as mildly as possible. After all we did for him, his behavior toward us, to say the least, was a poor way to show his appreciation.

at the least

at the least
see under at least.

least

least
In addition to the idioms beginning with least, also see at least; in the least; last but not least; to say the least.
* * *
- least of all
- least resistance, line of

least resistance, line of

least resistance, line of
Also, path of least resistance. The easiest method, way, or course of action. For example, He tends to do what most people seem to want, taking the line of least resistance. This term employs resistance in the sense of “the physical opposition of one thing or force to another,” a usage dating from the early 1600s. It has been used figuratively since about 1900.