can but hope

verb

To be unable to do anything (about something) other than hope [with that (+ clause); or (informal) with clause; or with so or (negative) not]; especially with long odds.

“We can but hope that he returns alive.”

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Meanings

verbcan but hope (third-person singular simple present can but hope, no present participle, simple past could but hope, no past participle)

past could but hope

  1. UKdatedno past participleno present participleTo be unable to do anything (about something) other than hope [with that (+ clause); or (informal) with clause; or with so or (negative) not]; especially with long odds.

    We can but hope that he returns alive.

Origin

Ellipsis of can do nothing but hope or can do naught but hope.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

can but hope. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can%20but%20hope

MLA

“can but hope.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can%20but%20hope. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “can but hope,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can%20but%20hope.

Source: can but hope on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.