denial
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Related to denial: Defense mechanisms
a non-denial denial
A statement that seems or is intended to act as a direct denial to an allegation, but which, when taken literally or examined closely, does not deny the allegation at all. The phrase is most commonly associated with evasive answers of politicians facing scrutiny or accusations of misconduct. When pressed by journalists over certain large, undisclosed expenditures he had recently made, the senator gave a classic non-denial denial of any wrongdoing, stating ambiguously that any such spending was simply associated with the running of his campaign. Talk about a non-denial denial. He clearly had a relationship with this woman—now, what exactly was the nature of it? Look, if you don't comment on this, but you also don't deny it, it'll come off like a non-denial denial, and people will think it's true.
See also: denial
be in denial
To be unable or unwilling to believe or acknowledge something as true. The house is in terrible condition, but Carolyn's in denial about it. Are you in denial or something? This is a serious issue! Dude, you're in denial if you think she's actually going to go to prom with you—she already said no.
See also: denial
denial ain't (just) a river in Egypt
cliché A humorous phrase used to highlight the fact that someone is unable or unwilling to believe or acknowledge something as true. (A pun on the colloquial pronunciation of "the Nile.") A: "I mean, I just want to know how she's doing, that's all. I'm totally not still in love with her or anything." B: "Uh huh. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt, you know." The boss thinks he can salvage this project by throwing more money at it. Someone should let him know that denial ain't a river in Egypt. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt if Pamela seriously thinks she can get a good grade in this class without handing in any homework.
denial is not (just) a river in Egypt
cliché A humorous phrase used to highlight the fact that someone is in denial about something. (A pun on the colloquial pronunciation of "the Nile.") A: "I mean, I just want to know how she's doing, that's all. I'm totally not still in love with her or anything." B: "Uh huh. Denial is not just a river in Egypt, you know." The boss thinks he can salvage this project by throwing more money at it. Someone should let him know that denial isn't a river in Egypt. Denial is not just a river in Egypt if Pamela seriously thinks she can get a good grade in this class without handing in any homework.
in denial
Unable or unwilling to believe or acknowledge something as true. The house is in terrible condition, and if Carolyn says it isn't, she's in denial. Are you in denial or something? This is a serious issue! A: "Wait, he never said anything about Margaret breaking up with him." B: "Yeah, that's because he's in denial."
See also: denial
state of denial
A state of inability or unwillingness to believe or acknowledge something as true. The house is in terrible condition, and if Carolyn says it isn't, she's in a state of denial. Are you in a state of denial or something? This is a serious issue!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
in denial
in a state of refusing to believe something that is true. Mary was in denial about her illness and refused treatment. Tom doesn't think he's an alcoholic because he's still in denial.
See also: denial
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.