not on

phrase

British, informal
1
: not acceptable or proper
Cheating old ladies out of their savings just isn't on.
2
: not possible
I'm afraid that scheme's just not on.

Examples of not on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This year's Ig Nobel Prizes — which are awarded for humorous, yet thought-provoking research — have been announced, but not on their home turf. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026 The Postal Service can refuse to deliver ballots that don't meet the new rules or bear the name of a voter who is not on a list. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 The only player who was not on the plane was defensive end Sam Okuayinonu, who is questionable for the game with a foot injury, the 49ers announced. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 A day after agreeing to terms and going through individual defensive line drills during practice, Donald was not on the field Monday. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for not on

Rhymes for not on

See All Rhymes for not on

Browse Nearby Words

Notomys
not on
not on any account
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Not on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20on. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All