| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| don't borrow trouble |
do not invite their trouble; we have enough trouble
|
When I said I was going to help my neighbor get a divorce, Pat said, "Don't borrow trouble."
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| don't count your chickens before they hatch |
do not expect all plans to be successful, wait until you get the final results
|
"Look at the sales I'm going to make this month - over 50!" "Don't count your chickens... ."
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| don't eat that |
do not accept that, do not believe that
|
After hearing the report, Ben said, "Don't eat that, guys."
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| don't get mad; get even |
do not waste your energy on anger, do get revenge; actions speak louder...
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To the victims he said, "Don't get mad. Get even. Report this to the police."
|
| don't get me wrong |
do not misunderstand; take it the wrong way
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Don't get me wrong; I love literature, but I hate poetry.
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| don't get smart with me |
show more respect, do not talk back
|
If you ask why, she'll say, "Don't get smart with me."
|
| don't give a crap [B] |
do not care at all, do not value it, don't give a damn
|
Janis doesn't care if he likes other girls. She said she doesn't give a crap.
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| don't give a damn [B] |
do not care, am not interested, give a shit [B]
|
Jack's late for class every day and I don't give a damn! He's a big boy now
and it's his business!
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| don't give me any of your lip |
do not talk back, do not refuse to do what I ask
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When the boy swore, she said, "Don't give me any of your lip."
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| don't give me that line/story etc. |
do not tell me that false story
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Don't give me that line about a cure for the common cold.
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