just

just¹ W1S1 [dʒəst strong dʒʌst] adv

1.) exactly

▪ A good strong cup of coffee is just what I need right now.

▪ The house was large and roomy; just right for us.

▪ She looks just like her mother.

▪ Just what do you think you're trying to do?

just on BrE

▪ It's just on three o'clock.

▪ Just then (=exactly at that moment) Mrs Robovitch appeared at the bedroom door.

▪ Just as (=at the exact moment when) I opened the door, the telephone started to ring.

▪ A nice hot bath - just the thing (=exactly the right thing) to relax sore muscles.

2.) nothing more than the thing, amount, action etc that you are mentioning

= ↑only

▪ It's nothing serious - just a small cut.

▪ Don't be too hard on him - he's just a kid.

▪ Can you wait just a few minutes?

▪ It's not just me - there are other people involved as well.

3.) only a short time ago

▪ John's just told me that he's getting married.

▪ I've just been out shopping.

4.) at this moment or at that moment

▪ Wait a minute, I'm just coming.

▪ He was just leaving when the phone rang.

▪ I'm just finishing my homework - it won't take long.

▪ The concert was just about to start.

5.) used to emphasize what you are saying

▪ It just isn't true.

▪ I just love being in the mountains.

▪ It was just wonderful to see Joyce again.

▪ I just wish I could believe you.

6.) only by a small amount, time, distance etc

just before/after/over etc

▪ We moved here just after our son was born.

▪ I saw her just before she died.

▪ It's just under three centimetres long.

7.) used to show that something which happens almost does not happen

= ↑barely, hardly ↑hardly

▪ He just managed to get home before dark.

▪ We could just see the coast of France in the distance.

▪ Those pants only just fit you now.

▪ She was earning just enough money to live on (=enough but not more than enough) .

8.) just about

almost

▪ The plums are just about ripe now.

▪ Just about everybody will be affected by the tax increases.

9.) just as good/bad/big etc

equally as good, bad, big etc

▪ Brad is just as good as the others.

▪ I love this country just as much as you do.

10.) just have to do sth

used to say that someone has to do something because nothing else is possible

▪ We'll just have to watch and see what happens.

▪ You just have to accept things and get on with your life.

11.) not just any

used to emphasize that you are talking about a particular thing or person that is especially good or important

▪ For the best results use olive oil. Not just any olive oil, mind - only the finest quality will do.

12.) would just as soon

if you would just as soon do something, you would prefer to do it

▪ I'd just as soon stay at home - I don't really enjoy parties.

13.) may just/might just

might possibly

▪ You could try Renee. She might just know where they live now.

▪ It may just have been a coincidence.

14.) not just yet

not now, but probably soon

▪ I can't leave just yet. I've still got a couple of letters to write.

15.) just because ... it doesn't mean

used to say that although one thing is true, another thing is not necessarily true

▪ Just because you're older than me, it doesn't mean you can tell me what to do.

16.) spoken just a minute/second/moment

a) used to ask someone to wait for a short time while you do something

▪ Just a minute, I'll see if I can find it for you.

b) used to interrupt someone in order to ask them something, disagree with them etc

▪ Just a minute! How do I know you're not telling me a pack of lies?

17.) spoken

a) used when politely asking something or telling someone to do something

▪ Could I just say a few words before we start?

▪ Would you just explain to us how the system works.

b) used when firmly telling someone to do something

▪ Look, just shut up for a minute!

▪ Now, just listen to what I'm telling you.

18.) spoken it's just that

used when explaining the reason for something, especially when someone thinks there is a different reason

▪ No, I do like Chinese food, it's just that I'm not hungry.

19.) spoken just now

a) a very short time ago

▪ Where have my glasses gone? I had them just now.

b) especially BrE at this moment

▪ We're busy just now - can you come back later?

20.) spoken just think/imagine/look

used to tell someone to imagine or look at the same thing that you are imagining or looking at

▪ Just think - in a week we'll be lying on a beach in the sun!

21.) spoken it's/that's just as well

used to say that it is fortunate that something is true or happened because otherwise there would be problems

▪ It's just as well we'd prepared everything beforehand.

22.) spoken isn't she just/aren't they just etc

old-fashioned used to strongly agree with something someone has said about a person or thing

▪ 'He's a selfish, rude, ignorant man!' 'Isn't he just!'

23.) spoken just so

a) with everything arranged neatly and tidily

▪ Her house always has to be just so.

b) old-fashioned used to say yes or agree with something

▪ 'You should have beaten them, shouldn't you?' 'Just so.'

→just the same at ↑same² (3), just in case at ↑case¹ (7), just my luck at ↑luck¹ (12), might just as well at ↑might¹ (9)

just ²

just² W3S3 [dʒʌst] adj

[Date: 1300-1400; : French; Origin: juste, from Latin justus, from jus 'right, law']

1.) morally right and fair

▪ Henry sincerely believed that he was fighting a just war.

▪ a just settlement

▪ Charlemagne was respected as a just ruler.

2.) deserved by someone

▪ a just reward for their loyal service

▪ What would be a just punishment for such a crime?

▪ I hope that he's caught and gets his just deserts (=is punished in the way he deserves) .

>justly adv

▪ These men are criminals, but they must be dealt with justly.

▪ an achievement of which we can be justly proud