“Don't pin me down on that!”












12















In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.



Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?










share|improve this question




















  • 6





    ...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)

    – Cascabel
    yesterday








  • 1





    Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

    – choster
    yesterday






  • 11





    don’t quote me on this, but ...

    – Jim
    yesterday






  • 3





    To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

    – wedstrom
    yesterday








  • 2





    @KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    yesterday


















12















In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.



Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?










share|improve this question




















  • 6





    ...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)

    – Cascabel
    yesterday








  • 1





    Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

    – choster
    yesterday






  • 11





    don’t quote me on this, but ...

    – Jim
    yesterday






  • 3





    To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

    – wedstrom
    yesterday








  • 2





    @KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    yesterday
















12












12








12


2






In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.



Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?










share|improve this question
















In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.



Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?







idioms translation german






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 33 mins ago









Mitch

51.1k15103212




51.1k15103212










asked yesterday









Fabian HabersackFabian Habersack

7316




7316








  • 6





    ...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)

    – Cascabel
    yesterday








  • 1





    Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

    – choster
    yesterday






  • 11





    don’t quote me on this, but ...

    – Jim
    yesterday






  • 3





    To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

    – wedstrom
    yesterday








  • 2





    @KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    yesterday
















  • 6





    ...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)

    – Cascabel
    yesterday








  • 1





    Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

    – choster
    yesterday






  • 11





    don’t quote me on this, but ...

    – Jim
    yesterday






  • 3





    To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

    – wedstrom
    yesterday








  • 2





    @KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    yesterday










6




6





...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)

– Cascabel
yesterday







...maybe "don't hold me to that", but I cannot find a reputable reference to support it. (such as Phrase Finder, for example.)

– Cascabel
yesterday






1




1





Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

– choster
yesterday





Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

– choster
yesterday




11




11





don’t quote me on this, but ...

– Jim
yesterday





don’t quote me on this, but ...

– Jim
yesterday




3




3





To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

– wedstrom
yesterday







To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

– wedstrom
yesterday






2




2





@KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday







@KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday












7 Answers
7






active

oldest

votes


















40















"Don't hold me to that!"




to hold Vocabulary.com





  • keep in a certain state, position, or activity

  • maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)




And your suggestion is nice too:





  • 'Don't pin me down on this'




and does not carry negative connotations.






share|improve this answer





















  • 3





    @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

    – Martin Bonner
    yesterday






  • 2





    "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

    – Martin Barker
    yesterday






  • 7





    @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

    – Tashus
    yesterday






  • 4





    "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

    – Kyle Delaney
    yesterday






  • 2





    "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

    – Colm
    23 hours ago



















66














I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.



From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.



Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":




"Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)




Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:




The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)




Examples of facetious usage:




Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)



We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)







share|improve this answer































    11














    Take this with a grain of salt




    (With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
    English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
    to interpret something literally




    Source: wikipedia



    Another definition and an example from theidioms.com




    accept, but with some reservations or skepticism




    Example:




    I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
    exaggerating things.







    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    The Gilbert Arenas Dagger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.
















    • 2





      As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

      – TonyK
      23 hours ago



















    10














    The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:




    Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.



    But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.



    The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.




    There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”




    We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ



    “Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.



    “Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”

    “I doubt you'll ever have to.”

    “All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.




    The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:




    Can’t be certain

    I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)

    Don’t hold me to it







    share|improve this answer

































      5














      "...but no guarantees"



      Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.



      Caveat emptor



      This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.






      share|improve this answer































        2














        This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,



        "your mileage may vary"



        is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.






        share|improve this answer































          0














          "All care, no responsibility".

          While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.



          "I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
          = I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
          The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.



          Caveat Emptor.
          "Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.



          Your mileage may vary / YMMV.

          I tend to use this :-).

          Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
          Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.

          YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.






          share|improve this answer























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            7 Answers
            7






            active

            oldest

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            7 Answers
            7






            active

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            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            40















            "Don't hold me to that!"




            to hold Vocabulary.com





            • keep in a certain state, position, or activity

            • maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)




            And your suggestion is nice too:





            • 'Don't pin me down on this'




            and does not carry negative connotations.






            share|improve this answer





















            • 3





              @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

              – Martin Bonner
              yesterday






            • 2





              "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

              – Martin Barker
              yesterday






            • 7





              @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

              – Tashus
              yesterday






            • 4





              "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

              – Kyle Delaney
              yesterday






            • 2





              "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

              – Colm
              23 hours ago
















            40















            "Don't hold me to that!"




            to hold Vocabulary.com





            • keep in a certain state, position, or activity

            • maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)




            And your suggestion is nice too:





            • 'Don't pin me down on this'




            and does not carry negative connotations.






            share|improve this answer





















            • 3





              @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

              – Martin Bonner
              yesterday






            • 2





              "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

              – Martin Barker
              yesterday






            • 7





              @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

              – Tashus
              yesterday






            • 4





              "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

              – Kyle Delaney
              yesterday






            • 2





              "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

              – Colm
              23 hours ago














            40












            40








            40








            "Don't hold me to that!"




            to hold Vocabulary.com





            • keep in a certain state, position, or activity

            • maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)




            And your suggestion is nice too:





            • 'Don't pin me down on this'




            and does not carry negative connotations.






            share|improve this answer
















            "Don't hold me to that!"




            to hold Vocabulary.com





            • keep in a certain state, position, or activity

            • maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)




            And your suggestion is nice too:





            • 'Don't pin me down on this'




            and does not carry negative connotations.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited yesterday

























            answered yesterday









            lbflbf

            19.1k22268




            19.1k22268








            • 3





              @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

              – Martin Bonner
              yesterday






            • 2





              "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

              – Martin Barker
              yesterday






            • 7





              @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

              – Tashus
              yesterday






            • 4





              "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

              – Kyle Delaney
              yesterday






            • 2





              "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

              – Colm
              23 hours ago














            • 3





              @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

              – Martin Bonner
              yesterday






            • 2





              "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

              – Martin Barker
              yesterday






            • 7





              @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

              – Tashus
              yesterday






            • 4





              "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

              – Kyle Delaney
              yesterday






            • 2





              "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

              – Colm
              23 hours ago








            3




            3





            @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

            – Martin Bonner
            yesterday





            @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

            – Martin Bonner
            yesterday




            2




            2





            "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

            – Martin Barker
            yesterday





            "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

            – Martin Barker
            yesterday




            7




            7





            @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

            – Tashus
            yesterday





            @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

            – Tashus
            yesterday




            4




            4





            "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

            – Kyle Delaney
            yesterday





            "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

            – Kyle Delaney
            yesterday




            2




            2





            "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

            – Colm
            23 hours ago





            "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

            – Colm
            23 hours ago













            66














            I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.



            From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.



            Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":




            "Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)




            Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:




            The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)




            Examples of facetious usage:




            Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)



            We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)







            share|improve this answer




























              66














              I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.



              From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.



              Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":




              "Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)




              Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:




              The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)




              Examples of facetious usage:




              Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)



              We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)







              share|improve this answer


























                66












                66








                66







                I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.



                From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.



                Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":




                "Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)




                Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:




                The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)




                Examples of facetious usage:




                Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)



                We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)







                share|improve this answer













                I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.



                From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.



                Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":




                "Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)




                Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:




                The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)




                Examples of facetious usage:




                Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)



                We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)








                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered yesterday









                chosterchoster

                36.9k1484136




                36.9k1484136























                    11














                    Take this with a grain of salt




                    (With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
                    English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
                    to interpret something literally




                    Source: wikipedia



                    Another definition and an example from theidioms.com




                    accept, but with some reservations or skepticism




                    Example:




                    I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
                    exaggerating things.







                    share|improve this answer








                    New contributor




                    The Gilbert Arenas Dagger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.
















                    • 2





                      As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                      – TonyK
                      23 hours ago
















                    11














                    Take this with a grain of salt




                    (With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
                    English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
                    to interpret something literally




                    Source: wikipedia



                    Another definition and an example from theidioms.com




                    accept, but with some reservations or skepticism




                    Example:




                    I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
                    exaggerating things.







                    share|improve this answer








                    New contributor




                    The Gilbert Arenas Dagger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.
















                    • 2





                      As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                      – TonyK
                      23 hours ago














                    11












                    11








                    11







                    Take this with a grain of salt




                    (With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
                    English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
                    to interpret something literally




                    Source: wikipedia



                    Another definition and an example from theidioms.com




                    accept, but with some reservations or skepticism




                    Example:




                    I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
                    exaggerating things.







                    share|improve this answer








                    New contributor




                    The Gilbert Arenas Dagger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.










                    Take this with a grain of salt




                    (With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
                    English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
                    to interpret something literally




                    Source: wikipedia



                    Another definition and an example from theidioms.com




                    accept, but with some reservations or skepticism




                    Example:




                    I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
                    exaggerating things.








                    share|improve this answer








                    New contributor




                    The Gilbert Arenas Dagger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.









                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer






                    New contributor




                    The Gilbert Arenas Dagger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.









                    answered yesterday









                    The Gilbert Arenas DaggerThe Gilbert Arenas Dagger

                    2192




                    2192




                    New contributor




                    The Gilbert Arenas Dagger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.





                    New contributor





                    The Gilbert Arenas Dagger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.






                    The Gilbert Arenas Dagger is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.








                    • 2





                      As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                      – TonyK
                      23 hours ago














                    • 2





                      As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                      – TonyK
                      23 hours ago








                    2




                    2





                    As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                    – TonyK
                    23 hours ago





                    As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                    – TonyK
                    23 hours ago











                    10














                    The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:




                    Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.



                    But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.



                    The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.




                    There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”




                    We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ



                    “Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.



                    “Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”

                    “I doubt you'll ever have to.”

                    “All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.




                    The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:




                    Can’t be certain

                    I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)

                    Don’t hold me to it







                    share|improve this answer






























                      10














                      The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:




                      Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.



                      But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.



                      The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.




                      There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”




                      We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ



                      “Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.



                      “Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”

                      “I doubt you'll ever have to.”

                      “All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.




                      The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:




                      Can’t be certain

                      I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)

                      Don’t hold me to it







                      share|improve this answer




























                        10












                        10








                        10







                        The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:




                        Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.



                        But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.



                        The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.




                        There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”




                        We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ



                        “Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.



                        “Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”

                        “I doubt you'll ever have to.”

                        “All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.




                        The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:




                        Can’t be certain

                        I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)

                        Don’t hold me to it







                        share|improve this answer















                        The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:




                        Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.



                        But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.



                        The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.




                        There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”




                        We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ



                        “Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.



                        “Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”

                        “I doubt you'll ever have to.”

                        “All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.




                        The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:




                        Can’t be certain

                        I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)

                        Don’t hold me to it








                        share|improve this answer














                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer








                        edited yesterday

























                        answered yesterday









                        KarlGKarlG

                        20.1k52856




                        20.1k52856























                            5














                            "...but no guarantees"



                            Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.



                            Caveat emptor



                            This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.






                            share|improve this answer




























                              5














                              "...but no guarantees"



                              Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.



                              Caveat emptor



                              This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.






                              share|improve this answer


























                                5












                                5








                                5







                                "...but no guarantees"



                                Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.



                                Caveat emptor



                                This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.






                                share|improve this answer













                                "...but no guarantees"



                                Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.



                                Caveat emptor



                                This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.







                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered yesterday









                                ArteliusArtelius

                                24113




                                24113























                                    2














                                    This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,



                                    "your mileage may vary"



                                    is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.






                                    share|improve this answer




























                                      2














                                      This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,



                                      "your mileage may vary"



                                      is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.






                                      share|improve this answer


























                                        2












                                        2








                                        2







                                        This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,



                                        "your mileage may vary"



                                        is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.






                                        share|improve this answer













                                        This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,



                                        "your mileage may vary"



                                        is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.







                                        share|improve this answer












                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer










                                        answered yesterday









                                        user3490user3490

                                        65234




                                        65234























                                            0














                                            "All care, no responsibility".

                                            While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.



                                            "I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
                                            = I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
                                            The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.



                                            Caveat Emptor.
                                            "Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.



                                            Your mileage may vary / YMMV.

                                            I tend to use this :-).

                                            Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
                                            Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.

                                            YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.






                                            share|improve this answer




























                                              0














                                              "All care, no responsibility".

                                              While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.



                                              "I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
                                              = I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
                                              The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.



                                              Caveat Emptor.
                                              "Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.



                                              Your mileage may vary / YMMV.

                                              I tend to use this :-).

                                              Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
                                              Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.

                                              YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.






                                              share|improve this answer


























                                                0












                                                0








                                                0







                                                "All care, no responsibility".

                                                While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.



                                                "I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
                                                = I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
                                                The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.



                                                Caveat Emptor.
                                                "Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.



                                                Your mileage may vary / YMMV.

                                                I tend to use this :-).

                                                Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
                                                Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.

                                                YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.






                                                share|improve this answer













                                                "All care, no responsibility".

                                                While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.



                                                "I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
                                                = I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
                                                The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.



                                                Caveat Emptor.
                                                "Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.



                                                Your mileage may vary / YMMV.

                                                I tend to use this :-).

                                                Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
                                                Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.

                                                YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.







                                                share|improve this answer












                                                share|improve this answer



                                                share|improve this answer










                                                answered 44 mins ago









                                                Russell McMahonRussell McMahon

                                                2,980715




                                                2,980715






























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