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
Some seats start at 4 pounds, many at 5 pounds, and others not until the baby reaches closer to 15 pounds.
—
Heather Corley, Parents, 2 July 2024
People might test you, ultimatums might be set, and generally speaking, all may not be at peace in your kingdom (maybe not until the end of July, when some of the bombast starts to settle down).
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 June 2024
The Culture Ministry imposed similar restrictions on the site last year in an effort to protect workers and tourists, though not until July.
—Niki Kitsantonis, New York Times, 12 June 2024
And not until Teoscar Hernández found the left-center-field gap in the 11th, scoring Ohtani (who went 0 for 5) from second base and Freeman (0 for 2 with two walks) from first, did either team manage to get a runner across the plate.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for not until 
Heather Corley, Parents, 2 July 2024
People might test you, ultimatums might be set, and generally speaking, all may not be at peace in your kingdom (maybe not until the end of July, when some of the bombast starts to settle down).
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 June 2024
The Culture Ministry imposed similar restrictions on the site last year in an effort to protect workers and tourists, though not until July.
—Niki Kitsantonis, New York Times, 12 June 2024
And not until Teoscar Hernández found the left-center-field gap in the 11th, scoring Ohtani (who went 0 for 5) from second base and Freeman (0 for 2 with two walks) from first, did either team manage to get a runner across the plate.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for not until
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'not until.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near not until
Cite this Entry
“Not until.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20until. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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