nothing doing
Under no circumstances; I will not permit it; absolutely not. A: "Mom, can I borrow the car this Saturday?" B: "After the dent you left in it the last time? Nothing doing!"
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
Nothing doing!
Inf. I will not permit it!; I will not participate in it! John: Can I put this box in your suitcase? Bill: Nothing doing! It's too heavy now. Sue: We decided that you should drive us to the airport. Do you mind? Jane: Nothing doing! I've got work to do.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
nothing doing
Certainly not, as in
Can I borrow your down coat?-Nothing doing. This colloquial interjection was first recorded in 1910. Also see,
no dice.
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.
nothing doing
1 there is no prospect of success or agreement. 2 nothing is happening. informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
ˌnothing ˈdoing
(informal) used to refuse a request: ‘Can you lend me ten dollars?’ ‘Nothing doing!’Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
Nothing doing!
exclam. No!; I refused to do it! Me, go to the opera? Nothing doing!
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
nothing doing
Informal Certainly not.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
nothing doing
Absolutely not. This response to a request, suggestion, or statement of something one considers untrue dates from the late 1800s. People used it on June 22, 1947: “It was suggested that she should come incognito. Nothing doing.” Also see not on your life, and, for a more recent expression of denial or refusal, no way.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer