not built that way

not built that way

1. Not having the emotional or physical capacity for (something). My dad isn't cold, he just isn't one to cry—he isn't built that way. You're going to get him hurt having him carry so much stuff. He's just not built that way!

2. Not inclined or willing to do something. Some people thinking spending their free time hiking up a mountain is fun, but I'm not built that way—it sounds like a horrible time to me.

See also: built, not, that, way

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

not built that way

Not so disposed or inclined, as in I can't apologize for something I didn't do-I'm just not built that way. [Late 1800s]

See also: built, not, that, way

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.