not take no for an answer
idiom
: to insist on something
I told him that I couldn't come to the party, but he wouldn't take no for an answer.
Examples of not take no for an answer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Basil, tail wagging and eyes seemingly locked onto her owner's, would not take no for an answer.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The great thing about young people is their spirit and their desire to be heard and to not take no for an answer.
—James Factora, Them, 5 Mar. 2025
My mother essentially would not take no for an answer.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024
But the Climate Museum’s creator and director, Miranda Massie, would not take no for an answer.
—Helene Stapinski, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023
Naturally Carrie would not take no for an answer, setting up an undoubtedly awkward seating plan.
—Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2023
What is the best way to handle people who simply cannot and will not take no for an answer?
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 29 July 2023
Patrick Mahomes would not take no for an answer.
—Safid Deen, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2023
On the second day, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia were determined to go to the island, and would not take no for an answer.
—Town & Country, 14 Nov. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The great thing about young people is their spirit and their desire to be heard and to not take no for an answer.
—James Factora, Them, 5 Mar. 2025
My mother essentially would not take no for an answer.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024
But the Climate Museum’s creator and director, Miranda Massie, would not take no for an answer.
—Helene Stapinski, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023
Naturally Carrie would not take no for an answer, setting up an undoubtedly awkward seating plan.
—Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2023
What is the best way to handle people who simply cannot and will not take no for an answer?
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 29 July 2023
Patrick Mahomes would not take no for an answer.
—Safid Deen, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2023
On the second day, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia were determined to go to the island, and would not take no for an answer.
—Town & Country, 14 Nov. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Not take no for an answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20take%20no%20for%20an%20answer. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share