“Don't pin me down on that!”
In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.
Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?
idioms translation german
|
show 3 more comments
In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.
Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?
idioms translation german
6
...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)
– Cascabel
yesterday
1
Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?
– choster
yesterday
10
don’t quote me on this, but ...
– Jim
yesterday
3
To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)
– wedstrom
yesterday
2
@KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
|
show 3 more comments
In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.
Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?
idioms translation german
In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.
Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?
idioms translation german
idioms translation german
edited 11 mins ago
Mitch
51.1k15103212
51.1k15103212
asked yesterday
Fabian HabersackFabian Habersack
7316
7316
6
...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)
– Cascabel
yesterday
1
Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?
– choster
yesterday
10
don’t quote me on this, but ...
– Jim
yesterday
3
To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)
– wedstrom
yesterday
2
@KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
|
show 3 more comments
6
...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)
– Cascabel
yesterday
1
Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?
– choster
yesterday
10
don’t quote me on this, but ...
– Jim
yesterday
3
To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)
– wedstrom
yesterday
2
@KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
6
6
...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)
– Cascabel
yesterday
...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)
– Cascabel
yesterday
1
1
Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?
– choster
yesterday
Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?
– choster
yesterday
10
10
don’t quote me on this, but ...
– Jim
yesterday
don’t quote me on this, but ...
– Jim
yesterday
3
3
To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)
– wedstrom
yesterday
To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)
– wedstrom
yesterday
2
2
@KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
@KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
|
show 3 more comments
7 Answers
7
active
oldest
votes
"Don't hold me to that!"
to hold Vocabulary.com
- keep in a certain state, position, or activity
- maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
And your suggestion is nice too:
'Don't pin me down on this'
and does not carry negative connotations.
2
@FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.
– Martin Bonner
yesterday
2
"Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement
– Martin Barker
yesterday
7
@MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.
– Tashus
yesterday
4
"Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information
– Kyle Delaney
yesterday
2
"Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.
– Colm
22 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.
From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.
Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":
"Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)
Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:
The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)
Examples of facetious usage:
Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)
We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)
add a comment |
Take this with a grain of salt
(With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
to interpret something literally
Source: wikipedia
Another definition and an example from theidioms.com
accept, but with some reservations or skepticism
Example:
I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
exaggerating things.
New contributor
2
As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.
– TonyK
23 hours ago
add a comment |
The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:
Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.
But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.
The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.
There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”
We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ
“Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.
“Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”
“I doubt you'll ever have to.”
“All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.
The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:
Can’t be certain
I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)
Don’t hold me to it
add a comment |
"...but no guarantees"
Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.
Caveat emptor
This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.
add a comment |
This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,
"your mileage may vary"
is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.
add a comment |
"All care, no responsibility".
While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.
"I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
= I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.
Caveat Emptor.
"Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.
Your mileage may vary / YMMV.
I tend to use this :-).
Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.
YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.
add a comment |
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7 Answers
7
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7 Answers
7
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"Don't hold me to that!"
to hold Vocabulary.com
- keep in a certain state, position, or activity
- maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
And your suggestion is nice too:
'Don't pin me down on this'
and does not carry negative connotations.
2
@FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.
– Martin Bonner
yesterday
2
"Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement
– Martin Barker
yesterday
7
@MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.
– Tashus
yesterday
4
"Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information
– Kyle Delaney
yesterday
2
"Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.
– Colm
22 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
"Don't hold me to that!"
to hold Vocabulary.com
- keep in a certain state, position, or activity
- maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
And your suggestion is nice too:
'Don't pin me down on this'
and does not carry negative connotations.
2
@FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.
– Martin Bonner
yesterday
2
"Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement
– Martin Barker
yesterday
7
@MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.
– Tashus
yesterday
4
"Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information
– Kyle Delaney
yesterday
2
"Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.
– Colm
22 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
"Don't hold me to that!"
to hold Vocabulary.com
- keep in a certain state, position, or activity
- maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
And your suggestion is nice too:
'Don't pin me down on this'
and does not carry negative connotations.
"Don't hold me to that!"
to hold Vocabulary.com
- keep in a certain state, position, or activity
- maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
And your suggestion is nice too:
'Don't pin me down on this'
and does not carry negative connotations.
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
lbflbf
19.1k22268
19.1k22268
2
@FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.
– Martin Bonner
yesterday
2
"Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement
– Martin Barker
yesterday
7
@MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.
– Tashus
yesterday
4
"Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information
– Kyle Delaney
yesterday
2
"Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.
– Colm
22 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
2
@FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.
– Martin Bonner
yesterday
2
"Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement
– Martin Barker
yesterday
7
@MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.
– Tashus
yesterday
4
"Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information
– Kyle Delaney
yesterday
2
"Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.
– Colm
22 hours ago
2
2
@FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.
– Martin Bonner
yesterday
@FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.
– Martin Bonner
yesterday
2
2
"Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement
– Martin Barker
yesterday
"Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement
– Martin Barker
yesterday
7
7
@MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.
– Tashus
yesterday
@MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.
– Tashus
yesterday
4
4
"Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information
– Kyle Delaney
yesterday
"Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information
– Kyle Delaney
yesterday
2
2
"Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.
– Colm
22 hours ago
"Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.
– Colm
22 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.
From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.
Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":
"Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)
Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:
The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)
Examples of facetious usage:
Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)
We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)
add a comment |
I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.
From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.
Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":
"Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)
Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:
The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)
Examples of facetious usage:
Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)
We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)
add a comment |
I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.
From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.
Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":
"Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)
Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:
The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)
Examples of facetious usage:
Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)
We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)
I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.
From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.
Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":
"Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)
Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:
The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)
Examples of facetious usage:
Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)
We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)
answered yesterday
chosterchoster
36.8k1484136
36.8k1484136
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add a comment |
Take this with a grain of salt
(With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
to interpret something literally
Source: wikipedia
Another definition and an example from theidioms.com
accept, but with some reservations or skepticism
Example:
I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
exaggerating things.
New contributor
2
As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.
– TonyK
23 hours ago
add a comment |
Take this with a grain of salt
(With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
to interpret something literally
Source: wikipedia
Another definition and an example from theidioms.com
accept, but with some reservations or skepticism
Example:
I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
exaggerating things.
New contributor
2
As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.
– TonyK
23 hours ago
add a comment |
Take this with a grain of salt
(With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
to interpret something literally
Source: wikipedia
Another definition and an example from theidioms.com
accept, but with some reservations or skepticism
Example:
I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
exaggerating things.
New contributor
Take this with a grain of salt
(With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
to interpret something literally
Source: wikipedia
Another definition and an example from theidioms.com
accept, but with some reservations or skepticism
Example:
I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
exaggerating things.
New contributor
New contributor
answered yesterday
The Gilbert Arenas DaggerThe Gilbert Arenas Dagger
2192
2192
New contributor
New contributor
2
As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.
– TonyK
23 hours ago
add a comment |
2
As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.
– TonyK
23 hours ago
2
2
As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.
– TonyK
23 hours ago
As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.
– TonyK
23 hours ago
add a comment |
The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:
Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.
But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.
The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.
There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”
We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ
“Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.
“Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”
“I doubt you'll ever have to.”
“All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.
The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:
Can’t be certain
I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)
Don’t hold me to it
add a comment |
The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:
Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.
But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.
The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.
There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”
We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ
“Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.
“Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”
“I doubt you'll ever have to.”
“All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.
The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:
Can’t be certain
I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)
Don’t hold me to it
add a comment |
The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:
Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.
But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.
The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.
There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”
We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ
“Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.
“Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”
“I doubt you'll ever have to.”
“All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.
The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:
Can’t be certain
I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)
Don’t hold me to it
The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:
Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.
But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.
The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.
There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”
We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ
“Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.
“Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”
“I doubt you'll ever have to.”
“All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.
The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:
Can’t be certain
I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)
Don’t hold me to it
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
KarlGKarlG
20.1k52856
20.1k52856
add a comment |
add a comment |
"...but no guarantees"
Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.
Caveat emptor
This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.
add a comment |
"...but no guarantees"
Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.
Caveat emptor
This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.
add a comment |
"...but no guarantees"
Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.
Caveat emptor
This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.
"...but no guarantees"
Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.
Caveat emptor
This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.
answered yesterday
ArteliusArtelius
24113
24113
add a comment |
add a comment |
This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,
"your mileage may vary"
is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.
add a comment |
This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,
"your mileage may vary"
is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.
add a comment |
This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,
"your mileage may vary"
is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.
This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,
"your mileage may vary"
is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.
answered yesterday
user3490user3490
65234
65234
add a comment |
add a comment |
"All care, no responsibility".
While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.
"I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
= I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.
Caveat Emptor.
"Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.
Your mileage may vary / YMMV.
I tend to use this :-).
Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.
YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.
add a comment |
"All care, no responsibility".
While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.
"I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
= I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.
Caveat Emptor.
"Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.
Your mileage may vary / YMMV.
I tend to use this :-).
Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.
YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.
add a comment |
"All care, no responsibility".
While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.
"I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
= I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.
Caveat Emptor.
"Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.
Your mileage may vary / YMMV.
I tend to use this :-).
Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.
YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.
"All care, no responsibility".
While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.
"I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
= I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.
Caveat Emptor.
"Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.
Your mileage may vary / YMMV.
I tend to use this :-).
Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.
YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.
answered 22 mins ago
Russell McMahonRussell McMahon
2,980715
2,980715
add a comment |
add a comment |
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6
...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)
– Cascabel
yesterday
1
Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?
– choster
yesterday
10
don’t quote me on this, but ...
– Jim
yesterday
3
To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)
– wedstrom
yesterday
2
@KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday