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nearly
/ˈniːɹli/
In most cases, "nearly" can be used interchangeably with "almost." Both describe something that is very close to happening or being true. When describing a narrow escape from danger (e.g., "I nearly fell"), it emphasizes that the event did not actually happen, but was very close to occurring.
💬Casual Conversation
🎬Tuesday afternoon in a high-rise office; Victoria is staring at a chaotic spreadsheet.
Mr. Sterling
The corporate spirit is nearly extinct, Victoria. We need more Zen.
Victoria
Cut the fluff. Did you sign off on the Q3 budget or not?
💡
Mr. Sterling uses 'nearly' to describe his philosophical view of the company's morale, while Victoria uses the idiom 'cut the fluff' to tell him to stop talking vaguely and get to the point.