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don't

don't

1.0
To say that something is not true or to tell someone not to do something
  • auxiliary
  • /doʊnt/
  • Informal
translation icon : no
  • Don't touch the stove because it is very hot.

Examples

  • If you don't understand the instructions, please ask for help.

  • Please don't make so much noise while others are working.

  • Don't go!

  • Please don't forget.

  • Don't touch the stove because it is very hot.

  • If you don't understand the instructions, please ask for help.

  • Please don't make so much noise while others are working.

Idioms

To not know anything about a subject or situation

Not believe anything someone says

10 8.6

Warn someone not to mention a topic because they talk a lot and get upset

5 8.4

Have no chance of success

3 9.3

To tell viewers or listeners to keep watching and not change the channel during a break in the show

don't be a bastard
  • Offensive
3 9.9

Tell someone not to behave in a mean or unfair way

1 8.1

Do not expect it to happen soon or at all

1 9.9

Avoid mixing your personal life with your work life because it causes problems

don't sweat it
  • Informal
1 7.4

Tell someone not to worry because it is not a problem

1 9.9

To not care at all

don't go there
  • Informal
1 9.5

A warning not to talk about a subject because it may make people angry

don't be a cow
  • Offensive
9.9

To tell someone not to be difficult or mean

don't be a numpty
  • Offensive
9.9

A phrase that tells someone not to act silly

9.9

Tell someone to be brave instead of afraid

Says that someone's application or request is rejected and ends the conversation

A dramatic way to tell people not to be sad when you leave, from the musical Evita

A joking way to say someone is not good enough to do something as a job

A playful goodnight wish hoping someone has good dreams

Any choice you make leads to bad results

Asian don't raisin
  • Offensive
9.9

A joking saying that people of Asian background seem to stay looking young for a long time

To stop being angry with someone but keep remembering what they did to avoid being hurt again

An informal phrase to show hope that something will happen if nothing goes wrong

A joking phrase that shows old ideas about how men should act

7.1

To hurry to do something so you do not miss a good chance

Compounds

don't-know
  • Specialized
588 9.6

A person who answers 'I don't know' to a question in a poll or survey

Surface Forms

don't infinitive
don’t infinitive
Don't infinitive
dont infinitive

Morphology

don't = do + not (transparent) = do + not

A straightforward contraction of 'do not' serving the usual negative auxiliary function, directly inferable from the components.

Etymology

Don't is a short form of do + not, with a small written mark called an apostrophe showing the missing letters. It is a quick way to say 'do not', so don't marks a negative sentence or tells someone not to do something.