Don't tell me you forgot your keys again.
don't tell me
idiomUsed to introduce a guess at a fact or situation, as if forestalling the other speaker's utterance.
Don't tell me you already finished that entire book in just one afternoon.
Don't tell me that after all our careful planning, you have decided to abandon the project entirely.
- 01
and I don't mean maybe
Indicating that one is serious and not joking about a matter.
- 02
don't call me sir, I work for a living
Used by senior enlisted military personnel to indicate that they are not commissioned officers.
- 03
don't call us, we'll call you
A stereotypical statement from a hiring organization to a potential candidate, suggesting that the candidate will not be hired.
- 04
don't drop the soap
Used as a mockery to someone who is about to be or should be confined in prison.
- 05
don't get someone started
Used to attempt to avoid or abbreviate a discussion that speaker or hearer may wish to avoid.
- 06
don't give up your day job
Somewhat sarcastic but usually good-natured advice used to criticise a person's degree of talent (especially in music or other performing arts), implying that they are unlikely to be successful.
- 07
don't go there
Do not broach that topic.
- 08
don't hold your breath
Don't wait. Said cynically to suggest that what has just been mentioned is unlikely to happen soon or at all.