THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
No ifs or buts
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
No arguments, excuses or conditions will be accepted.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- You need to return the borrowed game today—no ifs or buts.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
You need to return the borrowed game today—________.
Show the answer
No ifs or buts — No arguments, excuses or conditions will be accepted.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “No ifs or buts” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
No arguments, excuses or conditions will be accepted.
Compare: You need to return the borrowed game today—no ifs or buts.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this very firm, informal expression to insist on an instruction, often when speaking to a child. It can sound authoritarian or patronising with colleagues.
More examples in context
- Dad said there would be no ifs or buts about wearing a helmet.
- “No ifs or buts,” she said. “The screen goes off at bedtime.”
Usage note
The British form is “no ifs or buts”; the American form is often “no ifs, ands, or buts”. The plurals do not need apostrophes.
A short conversation
A: Can I leave the tidying until tomorrow?
B: No ifs or buts. Please put the tools away before dinner.
A: All right. I’ll do it now.
One more practice question
What does “No ifs or buts” tell the listener?
A. The speaker will not accept arguments or excuses.
B. The speaker wants a long debate about exceptions.
Check your answer
A. The phrase firmly closes off objections to the instruction.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.