nelly

IPA/ˈnel.i/
KK[nˈɛli]IPA/ˈnel.i/

nelly — noun

1. a British slang word used almost only in the phrase 'not on your nelly' to say t

1.nounC1
Definition

a British slang word used almost only in the phrase 'not on your nelly' to say that something definitely will not happen or that you strongly refuse it

Example

"Could you lend Dean your scooter tonight?" "Not on your nelly!"

fixed phrase for a flat spoken refusal

When the landlord suggested a rent increase, Layla said, "Not on your nelly."

fixed phrase after an unwelcome suggestion

Common collocations
  • not on your nelly
Synonyms
  • no way

    equally informal, but more current and not especially British

  • not a chance

    a neutral spoken refusal without the old-fashioned slang flavor

  • absolutely not

    strong refusal that works in wider registers

Grammar Patterns

not on your nelly

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'not on your nelly', usually as a strong spoken refusal or denial. It sounds old-fashioned and strongly British.

Common Mistakes

I said nelly to the idea.
I said, "Not on your nelly!
the word normally stays inside the fixed phrase, not as an ordinary noun on its own.

nelly — adjective

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four expressions reject an idea, but they differ in tone. 'Absolutely not' is the broadest and can fit both speech and careful writing when you need a firm answer. 'No way' is informal and current, often showing surprise as well as refusal. 'Not a chance' is also spoken and strong, but it sounds more neutral than slangy. 'Over my dead body' is the most dramatic and suggests active resistance, not just a negative answer. 'Not on your nelly' is the most old-fashioned and strongly British of the group, so it feels colorful rather than neutral. Compare: a manager might write 'Absolutely not', a friend might say 'No way', and a stubborn parent might shout 'Over my dead body'.

no waynot a chanceabsolutely notover my dead body ↗

Etymology

British slangrhyming slangEnglish

The refusal phrase 'not on your nelly' is usually explained as a shortened piece of British rhyming slang. It is often linked with 'Nelly Duff', which rhymed with 'puff', meaning breath or life, so the phrase originally suggested something like 'not while I still have breath in me'.

First known use

1823

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adjective