ENGLISH
REFERENCE

have nothing to do with sb/sth

idiom.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

idiom. to not be involved in something or to refuse to have a relationship with someone.

idiom. to lack any connection to a situation or to deliberately avoid association with a person or entity; often used to deny responsibility or express disapproval.


SIMPLE

I have nothing to do with their argument.

CONTEXTUAL

After the scandal, the company's former partners wanted to have nothing to do with the CEO.

COMPLEX

The witness insisted she had nothing to do with the robbery, claiming she was miles away when the crime occurred.

Usage

often used in the negative to deny involvement or as a firm social rejection.

Teaching tip

this is a useful structure for teaching the 'have + noun + to-infinitive' pattern; contrast it with 'have something to do with' to show how the meaning flips from involvement to exclusion.

Pitfall

I have nothing to do for him.I have nothing to do with him.using 'for' changes the meaning to having no tasks to perform; 'with' is required to express a lack of connection or association.

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