afraid not
idiom
—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."
Cite this Entry
“Afraid not.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afraid%20not. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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