NOT A CIRCUMSTANCE, etc., phr. (American).—Not to be compared with; a trifle; of no account—unfavourable comparison.

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  1878.  J. H. BEADLE, Western Wilds, 28. I took a broad-horn to Noo Orleens, and when I was paid off on the levee, I was the worst lost man you ever did see. In the middle of the thickest woods in the world WASN’T A CIRCUMSTANCE TO IT.

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  1848.  J. R. LOWELL, The Biglow Papers.

        For Jacob WARN’T A SUCKEMSTANCE to Jeff at financierin’;
He never ’d thought o’ borryin’ from Esau like all nater
An’ then cornfiscatin’ all debts to sech a small pertater.

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  TO WHIP [something] INTO A CIRCUMSTANCE = to surpass. Thus a newspaper correspondent writes that ‘the streets of Georgetown, Demerara, are broad, smooth, and well laid out. Georgetown could give points to New York in its roads, and WHIP IT INTO A CIRCUMSTANCE.’

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