couldn't

(I) couldn't ask for more.

Inf. Everything is fine, and there is no more that I could want. Bill: Are you happy? Sue: Oh, Bill. I couldn't ask for more. Waiter: Is everything all right? Bill: Oh, yes, indeed. Couldn't ask for more.

See also: ask, more

(I) couldn't be better.

Inf. I am fine. John: How are you? Jane: Couldn't be better. Bill: I hope you're completely well now. Mary: I couldn't be better.

See also: better

(I) couldn't help it.

There was no way I could prevent it.; I was unable to prevent something from happening.; I was unable to control myself. Sally: You let the paint dry with brush marks in it. Mary: I couldn't help it. The telephone rang. Fred: You got fingerprints all over the window. Mary: Sorry. Couldn't help it.

See also: help

(It) can't be helped. and (It) couldn't be helped.

Nothing can be done to help the situation.; The situation could not have been avoided. John: The accident has blocked traffic in two directions. Jane: It can't be helped. They have to get the people out of the cars and send them to the hospital. Bill: My goodness, the lawn looks dead! Sue: It can't be helped. There's no rain and water is rationed. John: I'm sorry I broke your figurine. Sue: It couldn't be helped. John: I'll replace it. Sue: That would be nice. Bill: I'm sorry I'm late. I hope it didn't mess things up. Bob: It can't be helped.

See also: and, help

(It) couldn't be better. and (Things) couldn't be better.

Everything is fine. John: How are things going? Jane: Couldn't be better. Bill: I hope everything is okay with your new job. Mary: Things couldn't be better.

See also: better

couldn't be happier

totally happy. They both couldn't be happier since they got married.

See also: happy

couldn't hit a bull in the ass with a bass fiddle

Rur. unable to aim; very clumsy. (Jocular. Use with caution.) Tom: Is Jane a good shot? Charlie: She couldn't hit a bull in the ass with a bass fiddle.

See also: ass, bull, fiddle, hit

couldn't pour water out of a boot (if there was instructions on the heel)

Rur. stupid. I won't say Jim is dumb, but he couldn't pour water out of a boot. Jane couldn't pour water out of a boot if there was instructions on the heel—and she's the smartest one in her family!

See also: boot, out, pour, water

I couldn't ask you to do that.

That is a very kind offer, but I would not ask you to do it. (This is not a refusal of the offer.) Sally: Look, if you want, I'll drive you to the airport. Mary: Oh, Sally. I couldn't ask you to do that. BUI: I'll lend you enough money to get you through the week. Sally: I couldn't ask you to do that.

See also: ask

Wild horses couldn't drag someone away (from something.)

Prov. Someone is determined to remain with something. Once Elaine starts playing a video game, wild horses can't drag her away from it. Jim was determined to remain fishing at the lake. Wild horses couldn't drag him away from it.

See also: away, drag, horse, wild

You couldn't (do that)! and You wouldn't (do that)!

an indication of disbelief that someone might do something. Bill: I'm going to run away from home! Jane: You couldn't! Bill: I get so mad at my brother, I could just strangle him. Tom: You couldn't do that!

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couldn't [act/argue/fight] your way out of a paper bag  (humorous)

if someone couldn't act, argue, fight etc. their way out of a paper bag, they act, argue, fight etc. very badly It's no good asking Jim to protect you - he couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag.

See also: bag, out, paper, way

couldn't believe your eyes

if you say that you couldn't believe your eyes when you saw something, you mean that you were very surprised by it She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw him drive up in his new car. I could hardly believe my eyes. They'd made so many changes, it looked like a completely different house.

See also: believe, eye

couldn't lie straight in bed  (Australian informal)

if you say someone couldn't lie straight in bed, you mean they are very dishonest Nothing you could say about Pete would surprise me. The man couldn't even lie straight in bed.

See also: bed, lie, straight

couldn't organize a piss-up in a brewery  (British & Australian very informal!)

if someone couldn't organize a piss-up in a brewery, they are very bad at organizing things

Usage notes: A piss-up is a social occasion where everyone drinks a lot of alcohol, and a brewery is a place where beer is made.

For god's sake don't ask Martin to make the arrangements. He couldn't organize a piss-up in a brewery.

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somebody couldn't care less also somebody could care less

someone does not care at all Most fans couldn't care less about it.

See also: care, less

you couldn't have asked for (anything) more also you couldn't have asked for anything better

this is the best thing of its type you can imagine My career has been terrific. I couldn't have asked for more. Our daughter's babysitter turned out to be wonderful - we couldn't have asked for anything better.

See also: ask, have, more

I couldn't agree more

I support that very strongly I couldn't agree more with the opinions stated in your recent editorial.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form somebody couldn't agree more: Lots of people think the use of handheld phones while driving should be outlawed, and state lawmakers couldn't agree more.

See also: agree, more