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afraid not

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Definition of afraid not

—used as a polite way of making a negative statement when one wants to show regret at having to do so "Can you come to our party?" "I'm afraid not."

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“Afraid not.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afraid%20not. Accessed 4 Mar. 2021.

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