(one) can't take (someone) anywhere

Used to humorously indicate that someone cannot be trusted to behave in a socially acceptable manner in a public setting. Then he wolf whistled the waitress and knocked over one of the tables on the way out of the restaurant. I swear, I can't take my father anywhere. Would you two please be quiet? People are trying to watch the movie. Gosh, I can't take you anywhere! What are you doing wearing jeans to a fancy event like this? Man, I can't take you anywhere.

(something) won't get (someone) anywhere

Something, typically a certain behavior, will not help someone progress or succeed in any way. Look, we can sit here arguing over who screwed up all day long, but pointing fingers at each other won't get us anywhere. Being the teacher's pet won't get you anywhere when the midterm exam rolls around. Complaining about the rain won't get you guys anywhere. Just brainstorm and come up with indoor activities to do.

anywhere from (one number) to (a different number)

Any number within a specific range. A: "How old do you think Dave is?" B: "Geez, anywhere from 30 to 40? It's hard to tell." A repair like this could run you anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000, depending on how much damage they find. Originally, I thought we could get $215,000 to $220,000 for our house, but now that the market has shifted, we'll be lucky to get more than $200,000!

get (one) nowhere

To result in no progress for one at all; to cause one to be stuck or at an impasse. Discussing this issue has gotten us nowhere. Let's take a break and start again tomorrow. Doing the same thing over and over will get you nowhere. You've got to try a different method. Lying will get you nowhere. Mom and Dad will inevitably find out the truth, and then you'll really be in trouble!

get anywhere

To make progress. Did you guys get anywhere in the negotiations today? Ugh, I'm not getting anywhere with my research right now. A: "Have you guys gotten anywhere in the garage?" B: "Please, there's so much junk in there, it'll take us a year to clean it out!"

miles from anywhere

In an extremely remote, isolated location, ever far away from other people. I'd rather pay a little more for a hotel right in the city than be miles from anywhere in some dinky B&B.

miles from nowhere

In an extremely remote, isolated location, ever far away from other people. I'd rather pay a little more for a hotel right in the city than be miles from nowhere in some dinky B&B.

not anything like

1. Completely unlike; not at all similar. This design isn't anything like what I had in mind—you'll have to just start over again. This rusty hunk of junk is not anything like the car you promised to get me!

2. A great deal less than; not nearly. I do pretty well in math, but I'm not anything like my older sister. She's a genius!

not anywhere near

1. Completely unlike; not at all similar. This design's not anywhere near what I had in mind—you'll just have to start over from the beginning.

2. A great deal less; not nearly. I do pretty well in math, but I'm not anywhere near as gifted as my older sister.

not get anywhere

To make no progress at all; to be stuck or at an impasse. Look, we've been discussing this issue all day and we haven't gotten anywhere. Let's take a break and start again tomorrow. A: "How did the negotiations go today?" B: "We didn't get anywhere. I don't know how we're going to get this deal approved by the deadline."

get nowhere

Also, not get anywhere. Make no progress, as in I've tried to put this together, but I'm getting nowhere with it. This expression is sometimes intensified as get nowhere fast, as in I tried phoning but got nowhere fast. [Early 1900s] Also see get somewhere; get there.

not anything like

Also, nothing like; not anywhere near; nowhere near. Quite different from, far from; also, not nearly. For example, The town's library isn't anything like the university's library, or His outfit was nothing like his brother's, or It isn't anything like as cold as it was last winter, or That movie isn't anywhere near as exciting as I thought it would be, or Her diamond is nowhere near as big as mine. The phrases with like date from the late 1700s, and those with near from the mid-1400s.

get somebody ˈnowhere/not get somebody ˈanywhere

not help somebody make progress: His job is getting him nowhere. He ought to try and find another one. ♢ All these questions aren’t getting us anywhere. We need to make a decision.

See also: anywhere, get, not, nowhere, somebody

ˈget somewhere/anywhere/nowhere

make some/no progress: Now at last we’re getting somewhere! ♢ You’ll get nowhere in life if you don’t work harder. ♢ Are you getting anywhere with that new manager?

See also: anywhere, get, nowhere, somewhere

miles from ˈanywhere/ˈnowhere

far away from a town, a village, other houses, etc: The car broke down when they were miles from anywhere. ♢ They live in the country, miles from nowhere.

nowhere/not anywhere ˈnear

not nearly: The bus was nowhere near full. ♢ The test wasn’t anywhere near as difficult as I expected.

I, you, etc. can’t take somebody ˈanywhere

(informal, often humorous) used to say that you cannot trust somebody to behave well in public: You’ve got soup all over your shirt — I can’t take you anywhere, can I?

miles from nowhere

In a very remote place.