English grammar
Informal refusals: don't give me that / no way / not a chance / come on! / we'll see
Resist pressure informally: refuse, brush off and stall, using don't give me that, no way, not a chance, come on and we'll see.
From the scene Don't give me that
In short
Push back informally with don't give me that, no way, not a chance, oh, come on! or we'll see.
Your turn
Which one goes with a flat, informal refusal?
Options: not a chance · no way · don't give me that
Show answer
a flat, informal refusal → no way
How it works
These are everyday spoken ways to push back on someone without a long explanation.
Good to know
Don't give me that! dismisses an excuse.
Good to know
No way and not a chance are flat refusals; oh, come on! objects to what someone just said; we'll see puts a decision off without promising anything.
dismissing someone's excuse don't give me that
Tomás
Don't give me that. You've got jobs to spare!
No me vengas con cuentos. ¡Tienes trabajos para dar y regalar!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). You've got jobs to spare!
Options: Not a chance · Don't give me that · No way
Show answer
Tomás
Don't give me that. You've got jobs to spare!
No me vengas con cuentos. ¡Tienes trabajos para dar y regalar!
a flat, informal refusal no way
Tomás
No way. The coffee arrives on Mondays.
Ni hablar. Los lunes llega el café.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). The coffee arrives on Mondays.
Options: Not a chance · No way · Don't give me that
Show answer
Tomás
No way. The coffee arrives on Mondays.
Ni hablar. Los lunes llega el café.
another flat refusal, slightly stronger not a chance
Elena
Not a chance, dear. The free churros are for me.
Ni de broma, hijo. Los churros gratis son para mí.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), dear. The free churros are for me.
Options: No way · Not a chance · Don't give me that
Show answer
Elena
Not a chance, dear. The free churros are for me.
Ni de broma, hijo. Los churros gratis son para mí.
objecting to what was just said oh, come on!
Your turn
What goes with oh, come on!?
Options: dismissing someone's excuse · a flat, informal refusal · objecting to what was just said
Show answer
oh, come on! → objecting to what was just said
putting off a decision, no promises we'll see
Tomás
We'll see. First show me you can make coffee.
Ya veremos. Primero demuestra que sabes hacer café.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). First show me you can make coffee.
Options: We'll see · Don't give me that · No way
Show answer
Tomás
We'll see. First show me you can make coffee.
Ya veremos. Primero demuestra que sabes hacer café.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| dismissing someone's excuse | don't give me that |
|---|---|
| a flat, informal refusal | no way |
| another flat refusal, slightly stronger | not a chance |
| objecting to what was just said | oh, come on! |
| putting off a decision, no promises | we'll see |
More lines from the story
- JaviIt's just that the wedding is costing a fortune, boss.Es que la boda sale carísima, jefe.
- TomásYour pay? You haven't even served a single coffee yet!¿Del sueldo? ¡Si todavía no has servido ni un café!