refuse to do

refuse to (do something)

To indicate or express that one is unwilling or determined not to do something. He refused to sign the contract because he would have to relinquish creative control of the project. I tried to call to apologize to her, but she's refusing to answer her phone.
See also: refuse
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

refuse to do something

to reject doing something; to reject a request to do something. I absolutely refuse to go there! We all refused to break the law.
See also: refuse
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • refuse to (do something)
  • relinquish (one's) hold on (something) (to someone or something)
  • relinquish (one's) hold over (something) (to someone or something)
  • relinquish over
  • relinquish
  • relinquish (one's) grasp on (something) (to someone or something)
  • relinquish (one's) grasp over (something) (to someone or something)
  • demand (something) of (someone or something)
  • demanding
  • yield up
References in periodicals archive
Following is a list of 25 things successful people refuse to do.
25 things successful people refuse to do
If they refuse to do anything, the member religious should cancel their membership.
From Fr. Albert Lalonde, O.M.I. re "sickness unto death: dissent on Vatican document in Canada"
For priests, whose calling is one of sacrifice, self-negation, and bearing witness, to refuse to do the same is a blot on their mission.
Come out, father. (last word)
Other readers felt the center should refuse to do the test.
DNA dilemmas: readers and 'experts' weigh in on biomedical ethics