don't give up the day job
don't give up the day job
cliché Don't leave your current employment in order to pursue some other ambition, because the odds of that succeeding are slim. Said especially to someone engaging in some activity as an amateur. A video of the famous actor singing a cringeworthy rendition of "Danny Boy" has gone viral online. Don't give up the day job, pal! A: "So, what did you think of my new joke? I was going to use it in my act at the comedy club tonight." B: "Yeah, um… maybe don't give up the day job, kid."
See also: give, job, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
don't give up the day job
If you say don't give up the day job, you are telling someone that they are not very good at something and would not succeed in doing it as their job. Sadly, my song wasn't a smash hit. `Don't give up the day job' was the verdict. Note: This expression is used humorously.
See also: give, job, up
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
don't give up the day job
used as a humorous way of recommending someone not to pursue an alternative career at which they are unlikely to be successful. informal 1996 Charlie Higson Getting Rid of Mr Kitchen ‘You are the worst beggar I have ever encountered,’ I said. ‘Don't give up the day job.’
See also: give, job, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
don’t give up the ˈday job
(informal, humorous) used to tell somebody that they should continue doing what they are used to, rather than trying something new which they are likely to fail at: So you want to be a writer? Well my advice is, don’t give up the day job.See also: give, job, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- a sight to behold
- (I'll) see you in hell!
- reliance
- reliance on
- reliance on (someone or something)
- so crazy (that) it might actually work
- so crazy (that) it might just work
- (just) crazy enough to work
- crazy enough (that) it might actually work
- crazy enough (that) it might just work