denial is not (just) a river in Egypt

cliché A humorous phrase used to highlight the fact that someone is in denial about something. (A pun on the colloquial pronunciation of "the Nile.") A: "I mean, I just want to know how she's doing, that's all. I'm totally not still in love with her or anything." B: "Uh huh. Denial is not just a river in Egypt, you know." The boss thinks he can salvage this project by throwing more money at it. Someone should let him know that denial isn't a river in Egypt. Denial is not just a river in Egypt if Pamela seriously thinks she can get a good grade in this class without handing in any homework.