ifs and buts
Hedging and excuses
Ifs and buts are excuses, objections, or conditions that delay action or avoid commitment.
The phrase appears almost exclusively in dismissive contexts: No ifs and buts—just get it done.
Someone raising ifs and buts is hedging rather than deciding.
Also *ifs, ands, or buts* in American usage.
- excusesExplanations offered for faults
- doubtLack of firm belief
- second thoughtsDoubts after deciding
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- cold feetPre-event loss of confidence
on the fence · caveat · uncertainty · objection · devil's advocate · counterfactuals · proviso · fine print · reservation · hedge · no excuses · contingency · qualm · prevarication · beating around the bush · misgiving · hypotheses · stipulation
ifs and butsfirm commitment
Unwavering promise to act
unconditional acceptance · decisive action · absolute certainty · unwavering resolve · firm resolve
ifs and butsno questions asked
Without requiring explanation
no strings attached · plain and simple · direct response · cut and dried · black and white