not on your life!

INFORMAL
This page is about the conversational phrase not on your life!

Meaning

You can say this if you're strongly refusing a request or rejecting a suggestion.

For example

  • "Can you help me carry the refrigerator?"
    "Not on your life! I'm much too old for that sort of thing!"

  • "Why don't you tell your sons to fight in the war?"
    "Not on your life! Do you think I want them killed?"

Quick Quiz

"Not on your life!" is similar in meaning to

a. "Sure thing!"

b. "Get a life!"

c. "No way!"
a) "Sure thing!" b) "Get a life!" c) "No way!"

Contributor: Matt Errey