nothing but=only 只有， 只不过；无非 

I had nothing in the world but a million-pound note. 除了一张百万英镑的钞票, 这世上我是一无所有。 

Don't scold her, she's nothing but a child. 不要责骂她, 她只不过是个孩子。 

At present I can do nothing but wait. 目前, 我只好等待。 

They did nothing but complain. 他们只知道抱怨。 

He wanted nothing but to stay there. 他什么也不想, 就想待在那儿。 

We have no choice but to arrive late. 除了迟到以外, 我们并无选择。