if not

idiom

1

—used to talk about the negative result or effect of something

You should study. If not, you won't pass the test.

2

—used to express surprise about meeting someone when it is not expected

So I went to the game and who should I see there if not my old friend Tom!

Examples of if not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But those who live in Arizona know that a 100-degree evening, with the sun no longer beating down and an occasional breeze is, if not exactly pleasant, at least tolerable. —Richard Ruelas, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2024

With this consideration in mind, AI can backfire if not trained appropriately to account for cultural nuances based on the user base, which includes factors like culture and location. —Mark Halberstein, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024

Also, to be fair, given The Rings of Power had an industry record-breaking budget of $715 million for debut season, the new episodes probably need to be a Top 5 contender for the service (if not Top 2). —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2024

Now, Swift’s decision to be seen acting like BFFs with Mahomes, while enjoying a private box at Arthur Ashe Stadium, has left some of her fans disappointed, if not angry. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2024