much less

1 NOTused to say that a greater thing is even less true, likely, or possible than the thing you have just mentioned 更不用说，更何况

These people can scarcely afford to buy food, still less luxury goods like perfume.

这些人连食物都买不起，更不用说香水这样的奢侈品了。

I didn’t think Dave would ever read a book, much less write one himself.

我觉得戴夫都不会去看一本书，更不用说自己去写了。

Examples from the Corpus

much/still less• Equally, science would be much less advanced than it is if the only available data were intuitive estimates of quantities.• The grouping of other languages of the world-and even of their number-is much less clear.• Half a century earlier his behaviour would have seemed much more normal and aroused much less criticism.• There was to be no pause for reflection, nor - much less - for a changeover from military to civilian rule.• She could not afford the bus fare to see a doctor, much less his fee.• On the battlefield armament was still much less important than discipline and fighting spirit.• The average person is unlikely to pick up this type of book, much less read it.• In the end, the tax brought in much less revenue than originally forecast.• There is not much chance of finding a razor blade, much less using it in the appropriate way.

→ much/still less at less1(3)

2 AND/ALSOused to say that a greater thing is even less true, likely, or possible than the thing you have just mentioned 更不用说，更何况

The shelves were lined with books which neither Hugo nor Sally would ever open, much less read.

书架上放满了雨果和萨莉都不会去打开、更不用说去读的书。

Examples from the Corpus

much less• The bill now goes to the Senate, where its fate is much less assured.• Try dowsing without rods: it's much less cumbersome.• I will become much less easily tired ... much less easily fatigued ... much less easily discouraged ... much less easily depressed.• That had to ne injected daily, but her husband recalls the injections being much less frequent.• Even Libertarians, who advocate much less government, are happy to accept public campaign money.• Even today, most politicians rarely wear neckties, much less power suits.• In the end, the tax brought in much less revenue than originally forecast.• Its development costs are not much less than the firm's total asset value.• I doubt Clemson will even make the finals, much less win.

→ much less at much1(4)

much lessChinese