nelly
nelly — noun
1. a British slang word used almost only in the phrase 'not on your nelly' to say t
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
"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
Pim laughed and told Hassan, "Another blind date? Not on your nelly."
After two hours in the rain, Eli muttered, "Camping here? Not on your nelly."
- 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
文法句型
not on your nelly
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
nelly — adjective
- nellypositive
- nelliercomparative
- nelliestsuperlative
1. describing a man or boy as having a style or manner that some people judge as to
describing a man or boy as having a style or manner that some people judge as too feminine, usually in an insulting way
The columnist called the prince nelly because of his soft voice and silk scarves.
call + person + nelly
Rafael winced when the coach mocked his pink gloves as too nelly.
too + nelly after a judgment
At school, Daniel hated being labelled nelly for preferring drama club to rugby.
In the film, one uncle sneers that Malik looks nelly in a velvet coat.
- effeminate
more formal and often even more strongly judgmental
- camp
can describe an exaggerated style, not always a direct insult to a person
文法句型
call + person + nelly
look/seem + nelly
too + nelly
用法筆記
Usually applied to men or boys by people showing disapproval. The word is dated and offensive in many contexts, so learners should avoid using it as a neutral description.