"Not by much" is an idiomatic expression often used in colloquial speech and informal writing to convey the idea that the difference in amount, degree, or magnitude between two things or situations is minimal or negligible. It implies that there is a small or insignificant variance between the compared elements, and often indicates that something is almost equal or nearly the same.
The phrase is commonly used to describe a narrow margin, a close contest, or a small discrepancy between two similar things. It signifies that the difference or advantage in question is not substantial enough to warrant significant attention or concern. For example, if a sports team wins a game by a score of 2-1, one could say, "They won, but not by much," suggesting that their victory was only achieved by a small margin.
In a broader sense, "not by much" can also denote a lack of significant divergence or contrast between two options, choices, or alternatives. It suggests that there is little distinction or disparity in terms of significance, quality, or preference. For instance, if someone asks whether they prefer two closely related items, such as two books or two movies, and there is only a slight preference for one over the other, they might reply, "I prefer book A, but not by much," indicating that the margin of preference is minimal.
Overall, "not by much" describes a small difference or advantage, emphasizing that it is not substantial or noteworthy.
