not want to do that: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘not want to do that’ mean?
The idiom "not want to do that" is used to indicate a strong aversion or unwillingness towards a particular action or situation.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "no ways" is used to express strong disbelief or refusal towards something. It indicates a firm stance or disagreement and is often used as a response to a suggestion or proposal.
The idiom "no way" is used to show strong disbelief or refusal towards something. It expresses a complete lack of possibility or chance for something to occur or be true.
The idiom "not touch something with a ten-foot pole" means to avoid or refuse to be involved with something or someone due to its negative or dangerous nature. It implies a strong aversion or caution towards the subject at hand.
The idiom "not touch something with a barge pole" means to avoid or have no interest in being involved with something or someone due to its undesirability, danger, or being considered worthless.
The idiom "not on your nelly" is a British slang expression that means categorically refusing something or expressing disbelief or skepticism towards a proposition.
The idiom "not on your nelly" is a commonly used phrase in British English that originated in the mid-20th century. It is used to express a strong and emphatic refusal or rejection of something. The idiom has a playful and informal tone, adding color and emphasis to statements.
The idiom "not on your life" means absolutely not or under no circumstances. It is used to strongly deny or reject a request or suggestion.
The idiom "not likely" means something is improbable or unlikely to happen.
The idiom "no time" is used to express a lack of available time or the urgency of completing a task or action quickly.
The idiom "no time" is a commonly used phrase that conveys the concept of having a lack of time or being unable to engage in a particular activity. It captures the essence of time scarcity and the inability to allocate sufficient time to a specific task.
The idiom "nothing for it" means that there is no choice or alternative in a certain situation, and one must accept or do something despite not wanting to or not having any other options.
Forbidden Desire
The idiom "nothing doing" is closely related to the phrase "not want to do that." Both expressions convey a strong sense of reluctance or refusal towards a particular action or activity. While "not want to do that" indicates a personal decision to avoid or refuse the proposed task, "nothing doing" adds a more emphatic tone, indicating a steadfast refusal or a complete lack of willingness to engage in the mentioned action. For example, if someone suggests going skydiving and you respond with "not want to do that," it signifies your disinclination or lack of desire to participate. However, if you respond with "nothing doing," it conveys an even stronger opposition or refusal, leaving no room for negotiation or persuasion. Similarly, the idiom "not for the world" shares the same sentiment as "not want to do that." When someone says "I would not do that for the world," they are expressing a strong aversion or unwillingness to engage in a particular action under any circumstances. It emphasizes the speaker's conviction and unwillingness to be persuaded, indicating a deep-rooted opposition or refusal. The idiom "not be caught dead" is another expression closely related to "not want to do that." It conveys a strong sense of opposition or dislike towards a specific action or situation. When someone says "I would not be caught dead doing that," they are expressing a complete aversion or unwillingness to engage in the mentioned activity. This idiom adds a dramatic and often humorous tone to the refusal, implying that the speaker finds the proposed action utterly undesirable or embarrassing. Additionally, the phrase "I don't fancy yours" is related to the idiom "not want to do that." While "not want to do that" indicates a general lack of desire or willingness to engage in a particular action, "I don't fancy yours" adds a hint of personal preference or taste. It suggests that the speaker not only lacks interest in the proposed action but also finds it unappealing or unsuitable for their specific preferences or interests. Lastly, the idiom "can't stand" is closely related to "not want to do that." It indicates a strong dislike or aversion towards a specific action or situation. When someone says "I can't stand doing that," they are expressing a deep-seated opposition, often due to a personal dislike or discomfort associated with the proposed activity. This phrase adds an emotional element to the refusal, emphasizing the speaker's strong negative feelings towards the mentioned action. Overall, these idiomatic expressions encapsulate varying degrees of reluctance, refusal, and opposition towards a particular action or activity. While "not want to do that" expresses a general lack of desire or willingness, "nothing doing," "not for the world," "not be caught dead," "I don't fancy yours," and "can't stand" amplify the refusal or opposition, conveying a stronger sense of reluctance or aversion.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "not want to do that" can be used in a sentence:
- I do not want to do that presentation, it's too stressful.
- He does not want to do that job because it pays less than his current one.
- We do not want to do that hike, it's too long and difficult.
More "Reluctance" idioms
We missed the mark - nothing found.