an offer (one) can't refuse
An offer for which the repercussions for refusing would be dangerous or ill-advised. It often implies that the "offer" is a threat, though this is not always the case. The phrase was coined by Mario Puzo in his 1969 novel The Godfather, and popularized by the 1972 Francis Ford Coppola film adaptation of the same name. If he's not willing to agree to the contract, I might have to bring a few men over and make him an offer he can't refuse. The buyout deal was worth $9 billion to the company, so, really, it was an offer we couldn't refuse. Man, I don't want to take on this project, but it's basically an offer I can't refuse because I can't afford to anger the boss right now.
make (one) an offer (one) can't refuse
To make an offer to someone for which the repercussions of refusing would be dangerous or extremely ill-advised. It is often implied that the "offer" is a threat, though this is not always the case. The phrase was popularized by the 1972 Francis Ford Coppola film adaptation of Mario Puzo's The Godfather. If he's not willing to agree to the contract, I might have to bring a few armed men over and make him an offer he can't refuse. When we found out the deal would be worth $9 billion to the company, we realized they were making us an offer we couldn't refuse.
paper never refused ink
People are able to write whatever they want, however inaccurate or misleading. A: "It seems like all manner of nonsense is being printed these days." B: "Well, paper never refused ink!"
refuse (something) to (one)
To decline to give or grant something to one. The prison guard was accused of refusing medical treatment to dozens of inmates. Unfortunately, the company is completely within their rights to refuse insurance benefits to new employees.
refuse to (do something)
To indicate or express that one is unwilling or determined not to do something. He refused to sign the contract because he would have to relinquish creative control of the project. I tried to call to apologize to her, but she's refusing to answer her phone.
refuse to budge an inch
1. To refuse to move from one's spot. The child sat down in the middle of the grocery store and refused to budge an inch.
2. To refuse to alter or shift one's position, opinion, attitude, etc. My brother refuses to budge an inch once he gets an idea in his head, so don't bother trying to reason with him. If you keep refusing to budge an inch, you might find that the other side stops trying to negotiate with you altogether.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*offer one cannot refuse
Cliché a very attractive offer. (*Typically: give one ~; make ~; make one ~.) He made me an offer I could not refuse, so I sold him my car.
refuse something to someone
to deny someone permission to receive or use something. You wouldn't refuse water to me, would you? Nothing at all was refused to the new employee.
refuse to do something
to reject doing something; to reject a request to do something. I absolutely refuse to go there! We all refused to break the law.
will not hear of something
and won't hear of somethingwill refuse to tolerate or permit something. You mustn't drive home alone. I will not hear of it. My parents won't hear of my staying out that late.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.