on\ the\ contrary

on\ the\ contrary
adv. phr.
Exactly the opposite; rather; instead.

The principal thought that the children went to the zoo; on the contrary, they went to the bakery.

"You don't like football, do you?" "On the contrary, I like it very much."

Compare: to the contrary
••
in total contrast (to what has just been said), completely in opposition or reverse

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • the contrary — UK [ˈkɒntrəri] US [ˈkɑnˌtreri] noun ★ the opposite Evidence suggests that the contrary is true. quite the contrary: I don’t disagree – quite the contrary – I think you’re absolutely right. Thesaurus …   Useful english dictionary

  • the contrary */ — UK [ˈkɒntrərɪ] / US [ˈkɑnˌtrerɪ] noun the opposite Evidence suggests that the contrary is true. quite the contrary: I don t disagree – quite the contrary – I think you re absolutely right. • on the contrary to the contrary …   English dictionary

  • On the contrary — Contrary Con tra*ry, n.; pl. {Contraries}. 1. A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities. [1913 Webster] No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. An opponent; an enemy. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To the contrary — Contrary Con tra*ry, n.; pl. {Contraries}. 1. A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities. [1913 Webster] No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. An opponent; an enemy. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • the contrary — the opposite. → contrary …   English new terms dictionary

  • on the contrary — adverb contrary to expectations (Freq. 10) he didn t stay home; on the contrary, he went out with his friends • Syn: ↑contrarily, ↑to the contrary, ↑contrariwise • Derived from adjective: ↑contrary ( …   Useful english dictionary

  • to the contrary — adverb contrary to expectations (Freq. 3) he didn t stay home; on the contrary, he went out with his friends • Syn: ↑contrarily, ↑contrariwise, ↑on the contrary • Derived from adjective: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • to the contrary — {adv.} or {adj. phr.} With an opposite result or effect; just the opposite; in disagreement; saying the opposite. * /Although Bill was going to the movies, he told Joe to the contrary./ * /We will expect you for dinner unless we get word to the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • to the contrary — {adv.} or {adj. phr.} With an opposite result or effect; just the opposite; in disagreement; saying the opposite. * /Although Bill was going to the movies, he told Joe to the contrary./ * /We will expect you for dinner unless we get word to the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • To the Contrary — No. of seasons 18 Broadcast Original channel PBS …   Wikipedia

  • to\ the\ contrary — adv or adj. phr. With an opposite result or effect; just the opposite; in disagreement; saying the opposite. Although Bill was going to the movies, he told Joe to the contrary. We will expect you for dinner unless we get word to the contrary.… …   Словарь американских идиом

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