IdiomDaily Life

English

not on your life

Meaning: Absolutely not.

Example: “"Will you hold the snake?" "Not on your life."”

Origin: An emphatic refusal, as if even the other person's life could not buy agreement. It is recorded from the 19th century.

Equivalents in other languages

Spanish: ni a tiros Literally: Not even by gunshots

More English idioms

tread carefully To act with great caution in a delicate situation.
pull the other one Said to someone telling an obvious lie.
use someone as a cat's paw To get someone else to do one's dirty work.
lose one's marbles To go crazy.
the heart of the matter The most important part of an issue.
put in one's two cents To give one's opinion, whether or not it was asked for.

Explore another collection: False Friends

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

Educado Actually means 'polite' or 'well-mannered'. For educated (schooled), say instruído.
Balcão Actually means 'counter' — in a shop, bar or bank. A balcony is uma varanda.
Injúria Actually means 'insult' or 'slander'. A physical injury is uma lesão or um ferimento.

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