at the earliest
at the earliest — idiom
1. said with a named day or hour to mean nothing can happen sooner than that.
said with a named day or hour to mean nothing can happen sooner than that.
The dentist can fit you in on Thursday at the earliest.
on Thursday at the earliest after a scheduling limit
Road repairs mean the bus will reopen its route next month at the earliest.
next month at the earliest after a delay
We sent the visa forms today, so approval should come in August at the earliest.
After the storm, electricity may return by midnight at the earliest.
The twins finish school at three, so they can arrive at four at the earliest.
- no earlier than
more direct and often used before the time expression
- not before
plain and exact; often sounds firmer
- at the soonest
similar meaning but less common in everyday speech
- at the latest
sets the last possible time instead of the first
文法句型
[day or time] at the earliest
[event] will happen [day or time] at the earliest
用法筆記
Follows the specific day or time phrase, usually near the end of the clause. It marks the first possible time and often suggests that an earlier plan is impossible.