not quite

not quite

Not exactly. A: "Are you promoting me?" B: "Not quite, but if you do well in this new position, I think you will get promoted in the future." I'm an A student, so of course I'm not quite pleased to get an A-!
See also: not, quite
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • not exactly
  • not for a second
  • not for a minute
  • not for a moment
  • not for a/one minute/moment/second/instant
  • not for a instant
  • (I) hope not
  • hope not
  • aint
  • ain't
References in classic literature
After a time they all had the story and began to talk among themselves, animatedly, not quite pleasantly.
But it was all very confusing, and not quite pleasant, so that Pollyanna was glad, indeed, when at last she found herself outside in the hushed, sweet air--only she was very sorry, too: for she knew it was not going to be easy, or anything but sad, to tell Jimmy Bean to-morrow that the Ladies' Aid had decided that they would rather send all their money to bring up the little India boys than to save out enough to bring up one little boy in their own town, for which they would not get "a bit of credit in the report," according to the tall lady who wore spectacles.
Pollyanna
There was something Meredithian about it: it was not quite Lucy Feverel and not quite Clara Middleton; but it was inexpressibly charming.
Philip was silent too, for he did not quite know what to say that would fit the circumstance; and he was terribly afraid that, if he said something flippant, Miss Wilkinson would break down before his uncle and make a scene.
Of Human Bondage
"I'm agreein' with you," the dog-musher answered, and Weedon Scott was not quite sure whether or not the other had snickered.
White Fang
"I am afraid I am not quite so much the man of the world as might be good for me in some points.
Mansfield Park
His sole occupation was to sit with his head against the wall, looking hard at the thoughtful baby; and I could not quite divest my mind of a fancy that they understood one another.
Bleak House
"On the contrary it's very interesting!" replied Pierre not quite truthfully.
War and Peace
Even the best friend I have in the world, our excellent friend over yonder,' said Doyce, nodding towards Twickenham, 'extends a sort of protection to me, don't you know, as a man not quite able to take care of himself?'
Little Dorrit
"My being charming, Harriet, is not quite enough to induce me to marry; I must find other people charmingone other person at least.
Emma
Since so many rooms had been built, people must have lived in them, but it all seemed so empty that she could not quite believe it true.
Secret Garden
There, I found a virtuous boatswain in his Majesty's service - a most excellent man, though I could have wished his trousers not quite so tight in some places and not quite so loose in others - who knocked all the little men's hats over their eyes, though he was very generous and brave, and who wouldn't hear of anybody's paying taxes, though he was very patriotic.
Great Expectations
"Not quite," sharply replied the Canadian, "but pretty near, at all events.
20000 Leagues Under The Sea
"But that is not quite what I mean to ask you, Aramis," replied Athos.
Three Musketeers
Pleasant the sense of being hurried along in swift ease through English scenes, so like those round his own home, only not quite so charming.
Adam Bede