English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
NOT LEAST or NOT THE LEAST?
Many Nigerians are complaining about the cost of living, ~not the least~, the poor (nonstandard).
Many Nigerians are complaining about the cost of living, *not least*, the poor (standard).
You use “not least” to emphasise a particularly important example or reason; it is a phrase for “especially”.
He is a nice man. I am not least~ surprised he gifted you a car (nonstandard).
He is a nice man. I am *not the least* surprised he gifted you a car (standard).
“Not the least” is another expression for “not at all”.
GAB
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