at the very least
If nothing else
At the very least sets a minimum threshold—establishing the smallest acceptable amount, the most conservative estimate, or the bare minimum one can say about something.
It often introduces a point that remains true even when stronger claims might be disputed: At the very least, you could apologize.
The phrase can soften criticism or establish common ground: At the very least, we agree on that much.
- leastwaysAt minimum, informally
- bare minimumSmallest acceptable quantity
- absolute minimumLowest possible threshold
- floorIndoor walking surface
- minimallyTo the smallest extent
no less than · basics · baseline · necessarily · lower bound · starting point · not to mention · at the end of the day · when all is said and done · worst-case scenario · fundamentally · required · bottom line · essential · if nothing else · simplest · irreducible · grudgingly