Labour said the government had made a "no ifs no buts" pledge to slash net migration.

BBC: Net migration to UK in 2010 at record high

No ifs, ands, or buts -- any room in negotiating on that specific aspect of the fiscal cliff?

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Holds a Press Conference

But John McDonnell said that wasn't good enough - for him, there had to be "absolute solidarity" - "no ifs no buts".

BBC: Labour conference: Left frustrated by 'Red Ed'

There are no ifs, ands or buts about it.

FORBES: Kobe Bryant and the NBA's Biggest Global Brands

No ifs, ands or buts.

FORBES: What's So Bad About Single Stocks, Anyway?

No ifs and no buts.

BBC: Is Nato's Afghan timetable a milestone or millstone?

" I have had issued a directive prohibiting the NSC staff itself from undertaking covert operations - no "ifs, " "ands, " or "buts.

CNN: Iran-Contra Affair

Though an epilogue examines tactical what-ifs, no effort is made to say what it all meant, and the whole story reads rather like an inside view of a tight World Series baseball championship.

ECONOMIST: There is still much to learn from the dead heat of 2000

In fact, the IFS notes: "no earners have been taken out of the direct tax net" by this generous (not to mention expensive) tax cut.

BBC: Fiscal choices from IFS