no ifs, ands, or buts
Meaning: Without any excuses or exceptions.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “You're going to bed at nine, no ifs, ands, or buts.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Objections often begin with "if," "and" or "but." Versions are found from the 16th century; the American form is common from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Y a pas à tortiller du cul — literally: There's no wiggling one's backside
More idioms — Daily Life
- fall on hard times — To become poor or suffer misfortune.
- a nasty piece of work — An unpleasant, cruel or dishonest person.
- good riddance — Said when one is glad to be rid of someone or something.
- go through the wringer — To go through a very hard experience.
- go off on a tangent — To wander away from the subject being discussed.
- strike out — To fail completely, especially in an attempt to attract someone.
More English idioms
- strong as an ox — Very strong.
- holy cow! — An exclamation of surprise.
- clear as day — Completely obvious.
- nothing doing — Refusal; there is no chance of that happening.
- be in the know — To have information that most people do not have.
- have had it up to here — To be completely fed up.