but

But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)
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conjunction
to introduce a word or phrase that contrasts with what was said before: ◆I got it wrong. It wasn't the red one but the blue one. ◆ His mother won't be there, but his father might. ◆ It isn't that he lied exactly, but he did tend to exaggerate.

however; in spite of this:◆ I'd asked everybody but only two people came. ◆ By the end of the day we were tired but happy.
Col. Von Strom: OUR retirement fund? I found it!
Capt. Hans Geering: Yes. But I know about it.

when you are saying sorry about sth: ◆I'm sorry but I can't stay any longer.

to introduce a statement that shows that you are surprised or annoyed, or that you disagree: ◆But that's not possible! ◆ 'Here's the money I owe you.' 'But that's not right-it was only £10.'

except: ◆I had no choice but to sign the contract.

before repeating a word in order to emphasize it: ◆Nothing, but nothing would make him change his mind.

(literary) to emphasize that sth is always true: ◆She never passed her old home but she thought of the happy years she had spent there (= she always thought of them).

Idioms: but then (again)
however; on the other hand: ◆He might agree. But then again he might have a completely different opinion.

before a statement that explains or gives a reason for what has just been said: ◆She speaks very good Italian. But then she did live in Rome for a year (= so it's not surprising).

you cannot / could not but ... (formal) that everything else is impossible except the thing that you are saying: ◆What could he do but forgive her? (= that was the only thing possible)

preposition
except; apart from: ◆We've had nothing but trouble with this car. ◆ The problem is anything but easy. ◆ Who but Rosa could think of something like that? ◆ Everyone was there but him. ◆ I came last but one in the race (= I wasn't last but next to last). ◆ Take the first turning but one (= not the first one but the one after it).

adverb
only: ◆I don't think we'll manage it. Still, we can but try. ◆ There were a lot of famous people there: Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, to name but two.

noun [usually pl.] a reason that sb gives for not doing sth or not agreeing: ◆'Let us have no buts,' he said firmly. 'You are coming.' ◆ With so many ifs and buts, it is easier to wait and see

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