ifs and buts

noun

Conditions, limitations or qualifications placed on something.

“Go and clean your room now, and no ifs or buts!”

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Meanings

nounifs and buts pl (plural only)

alternative ifs or buts

  1. pluralplural onlyConditions, limitations or qualifications placed on something.

    Go and clean your room now, and no ifs or buts!

    1 more example

    I'm not happy with this contract. There are too many ifs and buts.

Cite this entry
APA

ifs and buts. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ifs%20and%20buts

MLA

“ifs and buts.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ifs%20and%20buts. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ifs and buts,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ifs%20and%20buts.

Source: ifs and buts on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.