Not give somebody the time of day
phrase
To not show respect or attention to someone because you do not think they are important or worth your time.
She is so high on her pedestal, she wouldn't give the lower ranking employees the time of day.
Often appears as...
- wouldn't give me the time of day
- can't even give him the time of day
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
phrase
To not show respect or attention to someone because you do not think they are important or worth your time.
She is so high on her pedestal, she wouldn't give the lower ranking employees the time of day.
Often appears as...
- wouldn't give me the time of day
- can't even give him the time of day
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Social Rejection
This phrase often implies the speaker thinks they're better than the person they're ignoring.
Even though I tried to be friendly, the new manager didn't give me the time of day.
Pro Tip 2/3Expressing Disdain
Use it to convey someone's disregard or lack of interest in another person.
He's so arrogant that he doesn't give anyone the time of day unless they're famous.
Pro Tip 3/3Indicating Importance
It implies the ignored person is deemed unworthy of attention or time by the ignorer.
Since she won the award, she won't give her old friends the time of day.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Rejection
This phrase often implies the speaker thinks they're better than the person they're ignoring.
Even though I tried to be friendly, the new manager didn't give me the time of day.
Pro Tip 2/3Expressing Disdain
Use it to convey someone's disregard or lack of interest in another person.
He's so arrogant that he doesn't give anyone the time of day unless they're famous.
Pro Tip 3/3Indicating Importance
It implies the ignored person is deemed unworthy of attention or time by the ignorer.
Since she won the award, she won't give her old friends the time of day.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Rejection
This phrase often implies the speaker thinks they're better than the person they're ignoring.
Even though I tried to be friendly, the new manager didn't give me the time of day.
Pro Tip 2/3Expressing Disdain
Use it to convey someone's disregard or lack of interest in another person.
He's so arrogant that he doesn't give anyone the time of day unless they're famous.
Pro Tip 3/3Indicating Importance
It implies the ignored person is deemed unworthy of attention or time by the ignorer.
Since she won the award, she won't give her old friends the time of day.
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