Structure
Verb[ない]+ までも + Phrase
Noun + ではない(1) + までも + Phrase
(1) じゃない
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Standard
About ないまでも
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.
Examples
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これは不可能ではないまでも、実行するのは困難である。
This may not be impossible, but carrying it out is hard.
クビにはしないまでも、確実にボーナスは減額するつもりだ。
Even though I may not fire you, I certainly plan on lowering your bonus at least.
リザ「大谷は一番ハンサムといわないまでも、かなりカッコいい男だと思うよ。」
Riza 'I won't say that Ooya is the most handsome, but I think he is quite a cool guy.'
急速充電はバッテリーを直ちに駄目にしないまでも、性能をより速く低下させる。
Fast charging may not immediately damage the battery, but it will decrease its performance faster.
初めてJLPT N1を受験したが、合格できないまでも、せめて80点は得点できたい。
I took the JLPT N1 exam for the first time, I may not pass, but at least I want to get 80 points.
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