No shit

[0709] No fucking way

🎲 That's bullshit
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • An extremely strong expression of disbelief, refusal, shock, or sometimes excitement/amazement.
  • Highly informal and vulgar.

Origin

  • An intensified version of No way!, using fucking as an intensifier for emphasis.
  • Popularized in the latter half of the 20th century.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Disbelief/Amazement: No way!, Get out!, You're kidding me!, I don't believe it!, Holy shit!
  • Refusal: Absolutely not!, Not a chance!, Over my dead body!, No way in hell!

Alternatives

Slang/Informal (Disbelief/Amazement):

  • Get outta here!
  • Shut up! (Used playfully for disbelief, not as a command)
  • You're pulling my leg!

Slang/Informal (Refusal):

  • Not happening.
  • Forget it.
  • Ain't gonna happen.

Milder (Disbelief/Amazement):

  • No way!
  • Really?
  • Goodness me!
  • I can't believe it!

Milder (Refusal):

  • Absolutely not.
  • I'm afraid not.
  • That's not possible.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Highly informal and vulgar.
  • Avoid in professional, formal, or polite company.
  • Suitable only for very casual situations among people comfortable with strong language.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • While the meaning (strong negation/disbelief) is clear, the intensity and vulgarity can be highly offensive if used inappropriately.
  • Non-native speakers should use with extreme caution.

Examples

  • Disbelief/Shock: A: They cancelled the project after all that work? B: No fucking way!
  • Refusal: A: Can you work this weekend again? B: No fucking way am I doing that.
  • Amazement: A: Look at the size of that diamond ring! B: No fucking way! It's huge!

Dialogue

# Scenario 1 (Disbelief)

Liam: Did you hear? Sarah quit her job to travel the world!

Mia: No fucking way! She actually did it?

Liam: Yep, left this morning.

Boss: I need you to come in on Saturday.

Employee: No fucking way. I've worked the last three weekends.

Boss: Look, it's important...

Social Media Examples

  • Post: Just saw [Celebrity] walking down the street! Comment: NO FUCKING WAY! Lucky you!
  • Tweet: [Politician] just said what?!? Reply: NFW. Link?` (NFW = No Fucking Way)
  • Rant post: ...and then my landlord said he's raising the rent by 30%! Comment: No fucking way! That's illegal!

Response Patterns

  • Disbelief/Amazement: The original speaker usually confirms or elaborates: Yeah, I know, it's crazy! or Seriously, look!
  • Refusal: Often met with surprise, negotiation, or backing down from the requester: Okay, okay, calm down. or But we really need someone...

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After disbelief/amazement:

  • The person hearing it will likely ask for more details. Are you serious? What happened? or Where did you see that?

After refusal:

  • The person making the request might ask why or try to persuade, or they might drop the request. Why not? What's the problem?

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • Always a response or exclamation.

Intonation

  • Typically stressed heavily on fucking and way.
  • Often with a high or rising pitch for disbelief/amazement, and a forceful, lower pitch for refusal. No FUCKING WAY!

Generation Differences

  • Common among younger adults (Millennials, Gen Z) and Gen X.
  • Older generations might find it overly aggressive or crude.

Regional Variations

  • Common in North America, UK, Australia, NZ.
No shit
🎲 That's bullshit