anything

an|y|thing [ `eni,θıŋ ] pronoun ***

1. ) usually in negatives or questions used instead of something when saying or asking whether there is one thing or even a small amount of something:

Do you know anything about baseball?

He never does anything to help.

If anything goes wrong, the manager always gets the blame.

I promise I won't do anything stupid.

hardly anything: It was so dark I could hardly see anything at all.

anything else: Is there anything else I can do for you?

anything to do/see/say etc.: Is there anything to eat in the house?

what, if anything? (=used when you think there is probably nothing): What, if anything, can the UN do without American support?

2. ) used when it is not important to say which thing, idea, action, etc. you are referring to, because what you are saying applies to everything:

You can buy anything you want on the Internet.

Anything made of wood needs to be protected from the weather.

She really loves those kids she'd do anything for them.

almost anything/just about anything: Pigs will eat just about anything.

3. ) used with numbers to show that you are not giving exact information, but that any number is possible within the range you mention:

A good diamond could cost anything from $10,000 to $300,000.

You may have to wait anything up to six months for an appointment.

anything but

used for emphasizing that a particular word does not describe someone or something, because the opposite is true about them:

Unfortunately, our hosts were anything but friendly.

anything goes

used for saying that any type of behavior is possible or allowed in a particular situation

anything like

similar to someone or something else in some way:

Is Tom anything like his brother?

anything you say SPOKEN

used for telling someone that you are ready to agree with them or do what they want, even when you do not really want to:

Okay, I'll put on a tie and jacket. Anything you say.

as...as anything SPOKEN

used with adjectives or adverbs to mean very or extremely :

She was as nervous as anything.

as much as anything SPOKEN

used for saying that something is one of the main reasons for a situation, feeling, etc.:

I've been feeling miserable. I think it's the weather as much as anything.

like anything SPOKEN

very much:

When she stuck the needle in, it hurt like anything.

not...anything better/worse

used for saying that something is the best/the worst thing you can think of:

It was wonderful to have a place of my own. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

not anything like/near

not at all or not nearly:

They didn't get anything near the price they were asking.

not...for anything SPOKEN

used for emphasizing that you definitely will not do something:

I wouldn't get married again for anything.

...or anything SPOKEN

used for referring to or asking about other things of the same type:

Can I get you a sandwich or anything?

He never brought me flowers or anything.

=> IF1