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all the same

all the same

98 3.3
To say something is true despite what was just said
  • idiom
translation icon : aun así
  • I might never have said it without the drinks, but it would have been true all the same.

He says it can explain and console itself with the fact that all the same, something was taken in hand and done.

Examples

Synonyms

however
vsall the same
  • Formal
2.6

Shows a contrast with what was said before

is similar but more likely used in everyday speech
still
vsall the same
1.0

Shows that something is true despite what was said before

is used similarly but usually with milder emphasis
after all
vsall the same
3.0

To give a reason or say something is true despite doubts

is similar but more neutral and less explanatory in tone
yet
vsall the same
899 1.0

In spite of that

is similar but typically appears in fuller phrases
nevertheless
vsall the same
  • Formal
379 4.1

In spite of that, something still happens

is used the same way but sounds more informal
nonetheless
vsall the same
264 4.2

Shows that something happens despite what was just said

is the same contrast but more common in speech
at the same time
vsall the same
233 3.4

Shows a contrast with what was just said

is the same contrast but used as a simple rebuttal
even so
vsall the same
149 3.5

Shows that something happens or is true despite what was said

is the same contrast but often in more casual tone
in any case
vsall the same
51 2.8

No matter what, this is true or will happen

is similar but focuses more on contrast after a statement
notwithstanding
vsall the same
  • Formal
13 6.2

Used to show something is true despite what was said before

is the same idea but usually less formal and everyday
withal
vsall the same
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Still, despite what came before

is the same concession but in modern everyday speech

Surface Forms

all the same positive

Morphology

all + the + same

The discourse meaning 'nevertheless' is not directly derivable from the literal constituents 'all' (whole) + 'the' + 'same' (unchanged), which would more naturally suggest complete identity rather than a contrastive concession. There is a loose semantic link—'same' can imply 'still' or 'unchanged'—so learners might infer the sense with some reasoning or cross-linguistic help, but it is not fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

The phrase all the same may come from a simple image: even after something happens, all is still the same, so nothing changes. That's why it means 'nevertheless' or 'in spite of that'.