ないまでもMay not … but (at least), Even though not, Even if not

ないまでも is a combination of the negated form of a verb, the case-marking particle まで 'until', and the adverbial particle も 'even'. It will often be translated as 'even though not (A), (B)', or 'it may not be (A), but (B)'. This structure usually presents some form of extreme (A) which has not yet been reached, but the lower extent of (B) cannot be denied. The literal translation is 'even though not reaching (A), (B)'.

Depending on the source, this structure may occasionally be used with nouns. In this case, it will need to follow ではない, or the casual じゃない.

This grammar pattern will be used in both positive and negative situations. For example, (A) may be the best outcome, where (B) is something just below that which is desirable, or (A) may be the worst outcome, where (B) is just below that, but still quite bad.

Often, the (B) phrase will express some kind of wish or demand that the speaker wants to meet with structures like たい, てほしい, てください, たらどう, つもり, といい, etc.