Actually, that wouldn't work for what i try to accomplish, but it does help! I guess i would need a function indeed, but one that filters out the buttons that have 'too many' div.list parents. The total would be relative to the container i start with:
f.i. if the container has 3 div.list's in the parents, then i only want buttons that have 4... (the container is always a div.list by itself) so yes, you inspired a workable solution, thanks Karl! cheers, dominique p.s. i just wish there would be a more elegant solution, and i still don't get why :not is behaving like it does... > > $('button').filter(function() { > return $(this).parents('div.list').length == 1; > > }); > > Hope that helps. > > --Karl