does "just about" mean 1. only just there OR 2. nearly there OR 3. either 1 or 2 ?

Question

some people say JUST when they mean at apoint, and others say JUST ABOUT.
I think JUST ABOUT should mean nearly at a point but not quite,

Answer 1

Just about means "almost but not quite" - roughly the same as "as good as".

So, "I'm just about finished" means I'm not finished, but so close that I'm confident I'll be finished very soon, and you can proceed as though I were; while "this is just about the only shop round here which sells left-handed screwdrivers" means that there might be another one, but they don't count (eg they never have any in stock).

Answer 2

Big Mac, I think your logic is very good: To me, just about means nearly at a point, but not exact. For instance, "99.95 degrees" is nearly 100 degrees. Equally 100.05 degrees is nearly 100 as well. Sort of like cooker temperatures. When set, say at gas mark three, the temperature is never dead on, but will be a little less or more than the temperature it is approximating (not quite on).
A fun question to answer, BTW. I do like your logical conclusion!
Charles "That Cheeky Lad"

Answer 3

"Just about" does not mean the same thing as "just" in my dialect.

So I would give answers 2 and 3.

Answer 4

yeap just about means an estimate close to the exact

Answer 5

I think all three are quite close!

Answer 6

I agree with you, "JUST ABOUT" should mean almost there, but not quite...

Answer 7

huh

Answer 8

just about

Answer 9

Close to it.

Answer 10

almost