so much as

so much as (not comparable)

1. Even; suggests a minimum, especially regarding what might be expected.

   Synonym: as much as

   Without so much as a by your leave, he walked into the office and started digging through my files. Then off he went, without so much as a ‘goodbye’.

   If she so much as looked at another man, I’d divorce her!

   • 1927 March 5, Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place”, in The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, New York, N.Y.: A[lbert] L[evi] Burt Company, published June 1927, →OCLC, page 280:

     Well, she seems to have lost all interest in the horses. For a week now she has driven past the stables with never so much as 'good morning'!

2. But rather.

   I’m not enjoying the meal so much as admiring the atmosphere.

• chasmous