don’t tell me: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘don't tell me’ mean?
The idiom don't tell me is used to express annoyance or impatience when one already knows or can guess something. It is often used rhetorically to emphasize one's knowledge or experience in a certain matter.
Idiom Explorer
"You're telling me" is an idiomatic expression used to emphasize that the speaker already knows or agrees with what has been said. It is often used sarcastically or to show agreement with a statement that is obvious or well-known.
The idiom "drop a hint" means to subtly suggest or indirectly communicate something, typically without directly stating it. It implies hinting at a particular idea or information to elicit understanding or to guide someone's attention towards it.
The idiom "do what" is a commonly used phrase in the English language. While it may seem simple and straightforward, it carries a depth of meaning that is worth exploring.
The idiom "do the talking" means to express oneself or convey a message primarily through actions or behavior instead of words.
Do the talking
Origin of the idiom do the talking is unknown. No reliable source mentioning the exact origin could be found.
The idiom "don't hold your breath" means to not expect something to happen or to not have high hopes for a particular outcome.
The idiom "don't go there" is used to advise someone to avoid discussing a particular topic or situation, usually because it is sensitive, controversial, or likely to cause conflict.
The idiom "don't call us, we'll call you" means that the person or organization being addressed will contact the other person or organization if they are interested or have further information. It is often used in a dismissive or uninterested manner.
The idiom "dog my cats" means that someone is surprised or shocked by something. It is often used to express disbelief or astonishment.
The idiom "doggonit" is a colloquial way of expressing frustration or annoyance. It is often used as an exclamation to show displeasure or disappointment.
The idiom "doggonit" is a colloquial expression used predominantly in the United States. It is a variant form of the phrase "doggone it," which emerged in the early 19th century and was perhaps influenced by similar expressions like "dad gum it" and "consarn it."
Inescapable Enigma
"you're telling me" is another idiomatic expression that is closely related to the idiom "don't tell me." This phrase is used to convey agreement or acknowledgment of a statement that the speaker already knows or strongly believes to be true. It can also be used to empathize with someone's experience or to indicate that the speaker has personal knowledge or firsthand experience of the subject matter.
"don't go there" is yet another related idiom that is often used to warn someone against bringing up a sensitive or controversial topic. It is a phrase that implies that discussing or addressing the subject in question will lead to negative consequences or discomfort. This idiom is commonly used in casual conversations to discourage further discussion on a particular issue.
"can it" is a related idiom used to tell someone to stop talking or to remain quiet. It is a direct and assertive way of asking someone to be silent or to refrain from speaking. This phrase is often used when someone is being annoying, bothersome, or repetitive in their speech.
"buzz off" is yet another related idiom that is commonly used to tell someone to go away or to leave a particular place or situation. It is an informal and direct way of expressing annoyance or irritation with someone's presence or actions. This phrase is often used in casual or informal settings to assert boundaries and to indicate a desire for personal space or privacy.
The idiomatic expressions "you're telling me," "don't go there," "can it," and "buzz off" are all related to the idiom "don't tell me" in various ways. These phrases all serve to express different emotions, attitudes, or intents within a conversation. While "don't tell me" is typically used to convey surprise, disbelief, annoyance, or frustration, these related idioms offer different nuances and ways of expressing similar sentiments.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *don't tell me* can be used in a sentence:
- Don't tell me you forgot the keys again!
- Don't tell me you haven't started your homework yet.
- Don't tell me you're going to be late for the meeting.
Analysis:
The idiom *don't tell me* is used to express disbelief or annoyance when someone reveals or confirms something that is unexpected or unwanted. It is often used in a rhetorical or sarcastic manner to emphasize that the speaker already anticipated or assumed the information being shared.
In the given examples, the idiom is used in different contexts, but in each case, it conveys surprise or exasperation. The speaker expresses frustration with another person's forgetfulness, procrastination, or tardiness. The use of *don't tell me* suggests that the speaker expected the opposite or had hoped for a different outcome.
This idiom is commonly used in informal conversations and can be considered a way to express a range of emotions such as frustration, disbelief, or irritation.
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