not give (one) the time of day
not give (one) the time of day
To completely ignore, disregard, or be unfriendly toward one. My colleagues wouldn't give me the time of day after they found out that my father had influenced the company's decision to hire me. Once he found such huge success, Tom won't give any of his old friends the time of day. That guy didn't give me the time of day back in high school, and now he won't stop calling me.
See also: give, not, of, time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
not give anyone the time of day
Fig. to ignore someone (usually out of dislike). Mary won't speak to Sally. She won't give her the time of day. I couldn't get an appointment with Mr. Smith. He wouldn't even give me the time of day.
See also: anyone, give, not, of, time
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
not give someone the time of day
Ignore someone, refuse to pay the slightest attention to someone, as in He's tried to be friendly but she won't give him the time of day. This expression, first recorded in 1864, alludes to refusing even to answer the question, "What time is it?"
See also: give, not, of, someone, time
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
give someone the time of day
If you give someone the time of day, you chat to them briefly. He was a lovely man. He'd always stop and give you the time of day. Her father and her brothers were always too busy to bother about her and would hardly give her the time of day.
See also: give, of, someone, time
would not give someone the time of day
If you would not give someone the time of day, you do not want to have anything to do with them. Her father and her brothers were always too busy to bother about her and would hardly give her the time of day. Note: This expression is often varied. Rita never gave him so much as the time of day any more.
See also: give, not, of, someone, time
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
give someone the time of day
be pleasantly polite or friendly to someone. 1999 Salman Rushdie The Ground Beneath Her Feet You can greet her courteously but she won't give you the time of day, you can speak to her nice as pie but she won't act polite.
See also: give, of, someone, time
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
not give somebody the ˌtime of ˈday
refuse to speak to somebody because you do not like or respect them: Since the success of her novel, people shake her hand who once wouldn’t have given her the time of day.See also: give, not, of, somebody, time
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- give someone the time of day
- not give anyone the time of day
- not give somebody the time of day
- not give someone the time of day
- would not give someone the time of day
- give short shrift
- give somebody/something short shrift
- short shrift, give
- short shrift, to get/give
- give (one) the go-by