Yes, "not unlike" can be confusing. :) But the opposite is not exactly "like", but "much like". Just one notch back from "perfectly like". The double-negative gives that softening effect. It's fairly well-known here in Australia, I guess it's a primarily British phrase?

This is why I am glad I didn't have to learn English as a second language. There are just too many things which are just plain confusing to a learner. not unlike = double negative, it's used in a comparison sense. There is an undertone of uncertainty, meaning that it's slightly less positive than saying "I like". 1. This shirt is not unlike one I bought last year. 2. This shirt is like one I bought last year. sentence 1. could mean similar, but not exactly (a subtle likeness). sentence 2. means an obvious likeness. Andrew.

that is right. "Unlike" means a comparison between two things that are not the same. "Not unlike" is making a comparison between two similar things. "Unlike you, I do not live in Asia" "I enjoy taking walks, not unlike my father." However, this is somewhat rare grammar."Unlike" is very common, but instead of saying "not unlike," people usually just shorten it and say "like." "I enjoy taking walks, like my father."

I just learn somethiing new.... :) Thanks for this post