not able

not able

1. Literally, lacking the ability (to do something). I'm sorry, but I'm not able to attend tomorrow. The capacitors are not able to withstand that kind of a surge in power.
2. slang Unable to cope or deal with something. Primarily heard in Ireland. He's not able for any meaningful conversation before he's had his coffee. Kids, would you please stop screaming at me, I'm not able this early in the morning!
See also: able, not
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

not able

See the expressions listed at can't as well as those listed below.
See also: able, not
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

not able

see under can't or under main phrase.
See also: able, not
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • wear two hats
  • wear two hats (more than one hat), to
  • all able-bodied people
  • go critical
  • get through to (someone or something)
  • able to take just so much
  • able to take only so much
  • sleep
  • able to make (something)
  • able to make an event
References in classic literature
"I am not able, I allow, to destroy certain influences near the king."
Nicholl, driven into his last entrenchments, and not able to fight personally in the cause, resolved to fight with money.
Tulliver had done something because other people had said he was not able to do it, or had pitied him for his supposed inability, or in any other way piqued his pride; still, she thought to-day, if she told him when he came in to tea that sister Pullet was gone to try and make everything up with sister Glegg, so that he needn't think about paying in the money, it would give a cheerful effect to the meal.
I attempted to rise, but was not able to stir: for, as I happened to lie on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly fastened on each side to the ground; and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the same manner.
However, in my opinion, it was extremely prudent, as well as generous: for, supposing these people had endeavoured to kill me with their spears and arrows, while I was asleep, I should certainly have awaked with the first sense of smart, which might so far have roused my rage and strength, as to have enabled me to break the strings wherewith I was tied; after which, as they were not able to make resistance, so they could expect no mercy.
We were not able to provide enough bed-clothes to keep the students warm.
Summary: London [UK], Aug 19 (ANI): Both Australia and England were not able to favour a result on day five of the second Test in the ongoing Ashes and as a result, the match ended up as a draw at Lord's Cricket Ground.
Imran Khan said housing is a basic need and there is a demand of ten million housing units in the country, but salaried class is not able to build their homes due to lack of resources.
If you are not able to find new employment within 30 days, you are advised to leave the UAE to avoid overstay fines.
We're not able to run our pattern according to our game plan.
Customers have reported that they are not able to access their accounts using the bank's mobile banking service.
Sharif while talking to the media on Tuesday said that his heart is working only 17 percent and he is not able to do anything to let his ends meet.
"Then we had the penalty moment where Jonas made a great save and, in stoppage time, we had the chance for a counter with an overload from Erik Durm, four versus three, but we were not able to pick up the second ball and fill the gap, because we were overloaded in the last line, so Sessegnon picked up the ball.
"The transition was very challenging...I am used to living a certain lifestyle where I am very independent and making my own choices in life then suddenly I was not able to do that...," she said.
O2 customers are not able to use 4G because the company's network has been hit by a technical glitch.