Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

don't ask

Idioms  
  1. A phrase used to fend off questions about a situation one finds awkward, unpleasant, or unsatisfactory. For example, How did we do in the bridge tournament? Don't ask! [Colloquial; 1960s] For a similar phrase, see forget it.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The writer lived in this building, well before it was known for its oxtail, and the restaurant honors him by displaying a dusty bottle rack said to be his, I don’t ask.

From Salon Jun. 23, 2026

I’m more on the party side of things, so they don’t ask me about, “Hey, we’re gonna make this tweak to the menu — what do you think about it?”

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 17, 2026

We feel grateful but don’t express it, need help but don’t ask, could express support but don’t.

From The Wall Street Journal May 29, 2026

"We don't ask people to tick boxes - they have a conversation with an AI," Fontaine explains.

From BBC Apr. 30, 2026

“I don’t know. But don’t ask him, okay? That’s so embarrassing,” I plead.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training