The phrase "not so much as" is a common expression used in English to indicate that something is not happening or being done to a great extent. The phonetic transcription of this phrase is /nɑt soʊ mʌʧ æz/. The stress is on the first syllable of "not", the second syllable of "so" and the first syllable of "much". The "ch" in "much" is pronounced as a voiceless velar fricative, while the "a" in "as" is pronounced as a short vowel.
"Not so much as" is a phrase that is used to express a lack of a particular action or behavior in relation to something else. It is typically used to emphasize the minimal or negligible occurrence of a certain action or the absence of a particular quality.
When used in a negative context, "not so much as" highlights the insignificance or unimportance of an action or quality. It implies that the stated action is not even worth mentioning, or that the quality is virtually nonexistent.
For example, if someone says, "He did not so much as glance at me," it implies that the individual completely ignored their presence, without even a quick look in their direction. Similarly, if someone were to say, "The restaurant does not so much as offer vegetarian options," it suggests that the establishment does not provide any vegetarian dishes at all.
"Not so much as" is often used to portray the absence or negligible nature of something, creating a sense of contrast or surprise. In this way, it emphasizes the lack of an expected or assumed action or quality, further emphasizing the point being made.