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Synonyms

no can do

Idioms  

  1. It's impossible; I can't do this. For example, When Bill asked me to write a speech, I told him bluntly no can do. This colloquial phrase was first recorded in 1914.

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.

But perhaps more than any other therapy, giving yourself permission to say no can do wonders for mental rehabilitation, experts say.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2022

Realize that "no shower" doesn't mean "no can do."

From US News • Jun. 9, 2016

"Obviously that brought about more red tape and safety concerns than imaginable. It was a simple no can do."

From The Verge • May 18, 2016

Can do, no can do, what fashion?" which translated into good Shakespearean English reads "Very bad.

From Time Magazine Archive

She can do muchy more: others, no can do.

From Friars and Filipinos An Abridged Translation of Dr. Jose Rizal's Tagalog Novel, 'Noli Me Tangere.' by Rizal, José

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.