say it ain't so

say it ain't so

Used to express one's disbelief, disappointment, or grief upon learning some unfortunate truth about someone or something. A: "You do realize that all the clothes in this store are made by children in sweatshops in third-world countries, right?" B: "Say it ain't so! But they offer such good prices, how are we supposed to resist that?" A: "I just heard that the actor you like was arrested for drug trafficking." B: "No, say it ain't so! I always looked up to him as a role model—I can't believe he would be involved with crime like that!"
See also: say
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • Say it ain't so, Joe
  • Say it ain't so, Joe!
  • hand to God
  • (my) right hand to God
  • (that's a) likely story
  • a likely story
  • likely
  • likely story
  • my eye
  • my eye!