don't be daft
en
en
Change language
Translating...
/dəʊnt bi dɑːft/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
A casual, chiefly British way to tell someone that an idea, action, or worry is foolish or unrealistic.
Examples
- Don't be daft, nobody expects you to finish tonight.
- She laughed and said, don't be daft, when I offered to pay twice.
- Don't be daft, that ladder is far too short.
- When I said I might quit, Maya said, don't be daft, just ask for help.
- Don't be daft, you can't walk home in this storm.
Similar words
come off it
don't be silly
don't be foolish
be sensible
get real
don't be ridiculous
use your head
Meanings
Examples
- Don't be daft, you can't walk home in this storm.
- She laughed and said, don't be daft, when I offered to pay twice.
- Don't be daft, that ladder is far too short.
- His brother told him, don't be daft, and took the keys away.
- Don't be daft, nobody expects you to finish tonight.
- When I said I might quit, Maya said, don't be daft, just ask for help.
Similar words
don't be silly
don't be foolish
be sensible
use your head
get real
come off it
don't be ridiculous
Etymology
From the ordinary imperative don't be plus daft, a chiefly British adjective meaning silly or foolish.
FAQ
What does don't be daft mean?
Don't be daft means do not be silly, foolish, unrealistic, or needlessly worried.
Is don't be daft British?
Yes. Don't be daft is especially common in British English, though it is understandable in other varieties.
It can sound teasing or mildly critical. Don't be daft is usually informal, not suitable for respectful formal contexts.
Daft means silly, foolish, or lacking good sense, often in a mild or playful way.
Can don't be daft be used in formal writing?
Usually no. Don't be daft is conversational, so formal writing normally uses be sensible, that is unrealistic, or that is unwise.
How is don't be daft pronounced?
Don't be daft is pronounced /dəʊnt bi dɑːft/ in a common British reading.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.