"not on your life"
I saw the sample conversation below.
Man: Did Jane take your advise about going to the dentist for her cavities? Sometimes she can't sleep because of the pain in her teeth.
Woman: Not on your life!
What's "not on your life" ?
I know the woman wanted to say that Jane didn't take woman's advise. but I'd like to know what do native English speaker image when they hear "not on your life".
Is something on man's life ??
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 4
1
"Not on your life" means "absolutely no" or "no chance whatsoever" and it is usually used when asked whether you would do something that you would never, ever do. The above dialogue about a dentist appointment is not a very good example of when it would be used because the man and woman are talking about Jane, and this expression is better used as a response to a question about yourself.
Here is a better one:
Man: Will you ever go to the dentist?
Woman (who is afraid of dentists): No, not on your life!
Boy: Would you eat this slug if I gave you ten dollars?
Girl: Not on your life! (No I would never ever eat the slug!)
0
"not on your life" would mean that something would likely not to happen even just once in your lifetime.
another (informal) expression would be: "No chance in Hell"
:)
0
Hello Akira,
"not on your life" is an expression that means not for anything, whatever its value is , even your life.
It means absolutely and definitely not !
0
I would image the woman is using too many words to say 1 thing。
not on your life! = no way!
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