0071 I'm not buying it - English Idioms

Explanation

An informal expression meaning I don't believe you or I'm not convinced by your explanation or story.
Implies skepticism and suspicion that something is untrue, insincere, or deceptive.

Origin

Metaphorical use of buying. Just as one wouldn't pay money for something worthless or fake, one won't buy (accept as true) a story or explanation they find unbelievable.
Likely emerged in American English in the 20th century.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

Yeah, right. (Often sarcastic)
That's cap. (AAVE/Gen Z slang, meaning 'that's a lie') Origin: Possibly from capping meaning lying or exaggerating, popular online.
Sounds sus. (Suspicious)
I call BS. / I call bullshit.
Quit playin'. (AAVE, means stop pretending/lying)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

That's fucking bullshit.
Like hell you did/it is.
Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. (Crude idiom for obvious deception)

Milder/Standard:

I find that hard to believe.
I'm not convinced.
I remain skeptical.
That explanation seems unlikely.

Situational Appropriateness

Informal.
Can sound quite direct and confrontational, implying you think the other person is lying or being deceptive.
Avoid in formal or professional settings where more diplomatic expressions of skepticism are preferred (e.g., I have some reservations, I'm not fully convinced).

Misunderstanding Warnings

Non-native speakers might interpret buy literally (purchasing something).
The directness can be perceived as rude if the speaker isn't aware of its informal and confrontational nature.

Examples

He said he was late because of traffic, but the roads were clear. / Yeah, I'm not buying it.
She claims she didn't know about the plan. / I'm not buying it. She was definitely involved.
(Watching a politician's speech) His promises sound good, but I'm not buying it.

Dialogue

Leo: My dog ate my homework, I swear!

Teacher: I'm not buying it, Leo. That's the third time this month.

Leo: But it's true this time!

Friend 1: He apologized, said it was a misunderstanding.

Friend 2: I'm not buying it. Sounds like an excuse to me.

Response Patterns

Why not?
What do you mean?
Seriously, it's true! (Defensiveness)
Okay, fine. (Giving up trying to convince)
Silence or changing the subject.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone says I'm not buying it:

They might explain their reasons for skepticism (His story just doesn't add up.).
The person whose story is doubted might try harder to convince, get defensive, or drop the subject.

Conversation Starter

No. It's a reaction of disbelief to something someone has said.

Intonation

Often spoken with a skeptical, firm, or even dismissive tone.
Stress usually falls on buying. I'm not BUYING it.
Can have a flat or downward inflection, indicating finality in disbelief.

Generation Differences

Common across many generations, perhaps more so from Gen X onwards. Understood by most.

Regional Variations

Very common in American English.
Also used and understood in other English-speaking regions, though perhaps slightly less common than in the US.

I'm not sure about that

🎲 You've got to be kidding me

[0071] I'm not buying it