ENGLISH
REFERENCE

I'm not telling you

idiom
Meaning

Used to express that someone doesn't need to know something, typically because it is a secret (sometimes used as a way to attempt to hide someone's wrongdoing); may also be used when someone tries to ask for answers while doing an assignment or examination, or private or confidential information, including passwords.


Examples
SIMPLE

I am not telling you my password.

CONTEXTUAL

When the student asked for the answers during the test, I said, I'm not telling you.

COMPLEX

Despite his persistent inquiries regarding the confidential source of the leak, she firmly replied, I'm not telling you.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    hard telling, not knowing

    I don't know.

  2. 02

    I'm not being funny

    Used as a softening preface to a statement that might be taken as offensive or malicious.

  3. 03

    I'm not the one

    A warning to an individual who has greatly offended one's dignity or has acted or spoken insolently.

  4. 04

    I'm sure

    Used as an interjection to indicate denial or contradiction in response to an assertion or accusation.

  5. 05

    if I'm honest

    to be honest

  6. 06

    if I'm not there, start without me

    I am not interested in the event and do not plan to attend.

  7. 07

    there is no telling

    Used to indicate that something cannot be known or predicted with certainty.

  8. 08

    who are you telling

    Used in response to an assertion that one is already fully aware of.

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