Not at all means “in no way”, “not even a little”: it makes a negative stronger, for example I'm not at all tired. Its second use is as a polite reply: “you're welcome” after thanks, and “no, please go ahead” after Do you mind…? As a reply to thanks, it's especially common in British English and sounds a little more formal than You're welcome.
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not + adjective/verb + at all; I'm not at all + adjective; — Thanks. — Not at all.; — Do you mind if I…? — Not at all.
- I'm not at all surprised she got the job; she worked incredibly hard for it.
- — Thanks for lending me your notes. — Not at all, I hope they help.
- — Do you mind if I bring a friend to dinner? — Not at all, the more the merrier.
What changed
First version— Do you mind if I open the window? — Yes, of course, it's really hot in here.
Revision— Do you mind if I open the window? — Not at all, it's really hot in here.
It's easy to answer Do you mind…? with Yes, of course, as you would answer Can I…? But Do you mind…? literally asks “Does it bother you?”, so Yes, of course sounds like “Yes, of course it bothers me”, even though you meant to agree. To say “please do, I don't mind”, answer with a negative: Not at all.
As a reply to thanks, not at all sounds reserved and polite; it suits a colleague or someone you don't know well: — Thank you for staying late to help me. — Not at all. With friends, people more often say No problem or No worries.
Your turn
The film was supposed to be terrifying, but honestly I was ___ scared.
Show the answer
not at all — The film was supposed to be scary, but the speaker wasn't frightened even a little, so you need not at all, meaning “in no way”. Not all means “not every” and is about quantity: Not all my friends liked the film.
Your neighbour asks: Do you mind if I park in front of your garage for an hour? Reply with Not at all and add one condition.
Not at all, but please move the car before six, because I need to leave then.
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