The correct spelling of the phrase "not in the slightest" can be a bit tricky. The first word, "not," is spelled phonetically as /nɒt/. The following words, "in the slightest," are spelled phonetically as /ɪn ðə ˈslaɪtəst/. The "in" is spelled as it sounds, but "the" is pronounced as "ðə," which means that we use the voiced "th" sound instead of the unvoiced "th" sound (/ð/ instead of /θ/). "Slightest" is spelled using the "-est" suffix to indicate the superlative form of the adjective "slight."
"Not in the slightest" is an idiomatic expression that is used to convey an extreme lack of something or to emphasize that there is absolutely no amount or degree of the thing mentioned. This phrase is commonly used in informal contexts to accentuate a negative statement or to indicate a complete absence of a particular quality, quantity, or significance.
If someone says they are not in the slightest bit tired, it means they are emphatically and completely not tired at all. The phrase suggests that there is not even a tiny bit of tiredness present. Similarly, if someone is not in the slightest worried, it indicates that they are completely devoid of any concerns or anxieties whatsoever.
While "not in the slightest" is typically used to describe an emotional or mental state, it can also be used to express physical circumstances. For instance, if someone says they do not feel cold in the slightest, it means they are experiencing no sensation of coldness whatsoever, indicating a total absence of any chill.
Overall, "not in the slightest" emphasizes a complete and unequivocal lack or absence of a particular quality, feeling, or impact, serving as a powerful phrase to underscore the extreme extent of the negation being expressed.