Only just* Only too

only just

by a very small margin; almost not
the building survived the earthquake, but only just
■ very recently
I'd only just arrived back from Paris

only too

 very: We'll be only too happy to welcome you to our home. Please come.



only just /ˌəʊnli ˈdʒʌst◂/ [adverb] especially British
a very short time ago:
▪ It’s noon, and she’s only just got up.
▪ I’ve only just passed my driving test, so I’m still a little nervous.


only just British /just barely American /ˌəʊnli ˈdʒʌst◂, dʒʌst ˈbeəʳli/ [adverb]
use this when you succeed in doing something, but you want to emphasize how close you were to failing:
▪ It was a close game. Beverly beat me, but only just.
▪ I could just barely hear him.
▪ The paperwork was only just completed in time for the conference.
▪ The train was late, and I just barely made it to the meeting on time.