No can do

[0210] Not a chance

🎲 Not gonna happen
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Emphatically means absolutely not, no possibility, or impossible.
  • Used for strong refusal, denial, or expression of impossibility.

Origin

  • Literal meaning: there is zero probability (not a chance or no chance) of something happening.
  • It's a common emphatic negation.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • No way.
  • Absolutely not.
  • Impossible.
  • Forget it. / Forget about it.
  • Never. / Not ever.
  • Not in a million years. (Hyperbolic)
  • Fat chance. (Sarcastic, implies extremely low probability, often used ironically)
  • Zero chance. / No chance.
  • Out of the question.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • No way, José. (Playful, dated slang)
  • Ain't happening. / Not happening.
  • Fat chance. (Sarcastic)
  • Zero chance. / Zip chance. / Zilch.
  • Snowball's chance in hell. (Idiom for impossibility)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Not a fucking chance. / No fucking way.
  • Not a chance in hell. / No way in hell.
  • Fuck no.
  • Zero fucking chance.

Milder/More Formal:

  • Absolutely not.
  • That is entirely out of the question.
  • Under no circumstances.
  • That is simply not feasible/possible.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Tone determines politeness; can be neutral and firm, or blunt and confrontational.
  • Can be used in professional settings if strong emphasis is required, but risks sounding dismissive or uncooperative if not used carefully.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The meaning is typically very clear due to its emphatic nature.
  • It is unlikely to be misinterpreted as anything other than a very strong 'no' or 'impossible'.

Examples

  • Do you think the boss will give us Friday off? Not a chance. We're too busy.
  • Will you lend your brother your new car? After he crashed the last one? Not a chance!
  • Is there any possibility of finishing this by 3 PM? With the server down? Not a chance.

Dialogue

Person A: Maybe if we just explain the situation, they'll let us slide?

Person B: With that security guard? Not a chance. He follows the rules to the letter.

Person A: Right. Okay, new plan then.

Social Media Examples

  • Poll response: Will [Politician] win the next election? -> Comment: Not a chance after that last scandal. #Politics
  • Reaction to a rumor: Is it true they're discontinuing [Product]? -> Fan reply: I hope not! But if sales are that low... maybe? No, say it ain't so! Not a chance! (Expressing hopeful denial)
  • Q&A: Any chance of a sequel? -> Developer: We loved working on it, but realistically? Not a chance right now.

Response Patterns

  • The listener understands this is a final, emphatic 'no'.
  • Usually stops pushing the point.
  • Okay, okay, got it.
  • Wow, alright then.
  • Might lead to silence or a change of subject.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After hearing Not a chance:

  • The asker almost always gives up on that specific request or prediction immediately.
  • Arguing further is unlikely to be productive.

Action:

  • The possibility is understood to be completely closed off.

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • It's a strong, definitive response.

Intonation

  • Strong, firm, definitive, often sharp tone.
  • Heavy stress on Not (or No) and chance.
  • Usually strong falling intonation. NOT a CHANCE.

Generation Differences

  • Common and understood across all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Standard and common across all major English-speaking regions.
No can do
🎲 Not gonna happen