at the same time
233
3.4
- idiom
- I feel almost guilty, but at the same time, I know I made the right choice.
- at the same time, however
- yet, at the same time
- goal, at the same time
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Watch on YouTubeI feel almost guilty, but at the same time not.
- I feel almost guilty, but at the same time not.
- Someone we all know, but at the same time, someone we don't really know at all.
- Yeah, I'd be lying if I said, but at the same time, I can do without it.
- And all of those things might be true, but at the same time, what are they doing?
- The past few weeks have been very stressful, but at the same time they've been so good.
- It's sweet, but it's woodsy and fresh at the same time.
- And but at the same time, I felt very affirmed.
- But let me just make clear at the same time, I'm not a practicing Dr.
- But yet at the same time, we're the only or are we?
- But at the same time, you know what?
- But at the same time, this whole life is a test, right?
- And, you know, but at the same time, if you're slow, do you turn down less?
Examples
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That is a freeing feeling, but at the same time, you are responsible for yourself.
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The feel of her body against his was strange from separation, yet at the same time infinitely familiar.
Fiction book (1992) -
I feel almost guilty, but at the same time not.
-
And all of that can exist at the same time and it's OK.
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But also at the same time, I like it here.
-
But at the same time, we thought that maybe you want to sell.
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Key American industries had become uncompetitive at the same time the world economy had become more competitive.
Academic text (1991) -
The boy's ability would be kept secret, but at the same time, such a talent wasn't to be wasted.
Fiction book (1993) -
I feel like I'm drunk, but I'm also hungover at the same time.
-
It's a difficult situation, but at the same time, we have to stay hopeful.
Synonyms
∞
2.6
Shows a contrast with what was said before
∞
1.0
Shows that something is true despite what was said before
899
1.0
In spite of that
379
4.1
In spite of that, something still happens
357
2.8
Shows a different idea from what you said before
264
4.2
Shows that something happens despite what was just said
149
3.5
Shows that something happens or is true despite what was said
98
3.3
To say something is true despite what was just said
13
6.2
Used to show something is true despite what was said before
1
9.9
Still, despite what came before
How Contrasting
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal meanings of 'same' and 'time' yield a notion of simultaneity ('during the same time'), so part of the MWE's sense is compositional. However, its common discourse use meaning 'nevertheless' or a contrastive reservation is a pragmatic/metaphorical extension not fully predictable from the constituents without prior exposure. Because there is a clear link to the parts but the specific concessive/discourse function requires pragmatic knowledge, it is best classified as semi-transparent.
Etymology
At the same time is also used when someone quickly adds a second idea while they speak, like saying one point and then immediately adding another. That's why it often means 'nevertheless' or 'despite that'.