don't

be damned if you do and damned if you don't

if you say that someone is damned if they do and damned if they don't, you mean they will be criticized whatever they do. When it comes to removing children from parents suspected of abuse, social workers are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

See also: damned

Don't ask me. (informal)

something that you say when you do not know the answer to a question. 'Who's in charge round here?' 'Don't ask me. I'm as confused as you.' She's decided to dye her hair bright green, don't ask me why. (often + question word)

See also: ask

Don't bet on it. (informal, informal)

something that you say when you do not think that something is likely to happen or to be true. 'Do you think the builders will finish by Friday?' 'I wouldn't bet on it.'

See also: bet

Don't count your chickens (before they're hatched).

something that you say in order to warn someone to wait until a good thing they are expecting has really happened before they make any plans about it. You might be able to get a loan from the bank, but don't count your chickens.

See also: chicken, count

Don't get mad, get even.

something that you say in order to tell someone not to be angry when someone has upset them, but to do something that will upset them as much. This is my advice to wives whose husbands have left them for a younger woman - don't get mad, get even!

See also: even

Don't get me wrong. (informal)

something that you say before you express an opinion about someone or something and you do not want people to think that you are criticizing that person or thing too severely. Don't get me wrong, I like Carol, I just think she has some irritating habits.

See also: wrong

Don't give me that! (informal)

something that you say when you do not believe an explanation that someone has given you. Don't give me that! I saw you with him, Karen - I drove right past you!

See also: give, that

Don't give up the day job! (humorous)

something that you say to someone who is performing in order to tell them that you do not think they are very good at it. 'What did you think of my singing, then?' 'Er, don't give up the day job!'

See also: day, give, job

Don't hold your breath.

something that you say in order to tell someone that an event is not likely to happen. She said she'd phone but don't hold your breath.

See also: breath, hold

Don't make me laugh. (informal)

something that you say when someone has suggested something that you think is not at all likely to happen. 'You never know, Pete might help out.' 'Pete? Help out? Don't make me laugh!'

See also: laugh

Don't spare the horses. (Australian, informal)

something that you say to someone in order to tell them to hurry. Go and buy some milk and don't spare the horses.

See also: horse, spare

Don't sweat it! (American, informal)

something that you say in order to tell someone not to worry. Don't sweat it! We've got plenty of time to get there before the show starts.

See also: sweat

Don't sweat the small stuff. (American, informal)

something that you say in order to tell someone not to worry about things that are not important. Don't sweat the small stuff, Sam. It's just office gossip - no one takes it seriously.

See also: small, stuff, sweat

Don't take any wooden nickels. (American, informal)

something that you say when someone leaves, to tell them to be careful and to take good care of themselves. Hey guys - have a good trip, and don't take any wooden nickels.

See also: any, nickel, take, wooden

dos and don'ts

rules about what you must do and what you must not do in a particular situation. In the back of the guide there's a list of the dos and don'ts of local etiquette.

See also: DOS

I don't need this! (informal)

something that you say when you are annoyed because something is causing you a lot of trouble. And the next thing that happens is the printer stops working and I'm thinking, I don't need this!

See also: need, this

If at first you don't succeed, (try, try, and try again).

something that you say in order to tell someone they must keep trying in order to achieve something. My novel has been rejected by three publishers already. Still, if at first you don't succeed ...

See also: first

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

something that you say which means if a system or method works well there is no reason to change it. We're happy with our exam system in Scotland, and as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

See also: fix

What you don't know won't hurt you.

something that you say which means that if you do not know about a fact or a problem, you do not worry about it. 'Tell me how much you spent on the car, then.' 'No, what you don't know won't hurt you.'

See also: hurt, know, won't

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damned if you do and damned if you don't

criticized whatever you decide. It doesn't matter if the president's wife uses the power of her position or not — she's damned if she does and damned if she doesn't.

See also: damned

don't ask

you do not want to know, esp. because the information is embarrassing or upsetting. The movie has lots of scary parts, and a particularly nasty suicide — don't ask.

Usage notes: used to say that you do not want to give any more information about a subject

See also: ask

don't ask me

I do not know. "Who's in charge around here?" "Don't ask me. How would I know?" He stole his neighbor's underwear once. Don't ask me why.

go figure

See also: ask

don't bet on it

you should not believe this is likely. He says he'll play again next season, but don't bet on it.

(you can) bet on it

See also: bet

don't get me wrong

you should clearly understand what I mean. Don't get me wrong — we're glad to have a couple of star players — but it's the team that wins games.

See also: wrong

don't mention it

it was no trouble. “Thanks for lending me your bicycle.” “Don't mention it!”

Usage notes: used as a polite answer after someone has thanked you for something

See also: mention

don't rock the boat

do not upset people by trying to change a situation. You shouldn't sit there and say everything's fine, don't rock the boat.

Usage notes: sometimes used without don't: Of course you'll want to rock the boat.To my mind, "make waves" & "rock the boat" are not syns, tho closely related, as rock the boat cannot be used to describe the creation of a new situation, whereas make waves can--SL, 9/02

keep your nose clean

make waves

See also: boat, rock

don't you dare

I will be very angry at you if you do. "I'm going to tell Billy what you said about him." "Don't you dare! "

See also: dare

if it ain't broke, don't fix it

it is a mistake to try to improve something that works. He hasn't made a lot of changes to the team since taking over as head coach, figuring if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

See also: fix

you don't need this

you refuse to deal with this. The first five minutes of that movie were so violent that I walked out – I don't need this.

who needs something

See also: need, this