mind-your-own-business
Stay out, please
Mind-your-own-business is a sharp rebuke telling someone to stop prying or interfering in matters that don't concern them: I asked where she was going and she told me to mind my own business.
The phrase can be softened with "if you don't mind my saying" or hardened into dismissive acronyms like MYOB.
Quality of protecting secrets
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- solitudeState of being alone
- seclusionVoluntary withdrawal from society
Freedom from external control
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- noninterferenceAbstaining from involvement
agency · self-governance · live-and-let-live · laissez-faire · hands-off · respect · sovereignty · self-direction
Imposed maximum points
- demarcationFormal boundary setting
- barriersThings blocking access
- respectRegard with honor
- separationState of being apart
lines · overstepping · trespassing · encroachment · territory · hands-off
Lack of interest
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
- uninvolvedNot taking part
- bystanderOne who observes nearby
- neutralityState of taking sides
aloofness · distancing · non-involvement · withdrawal · sidelines · spectator
Habit of prying
- pryingIntrusively inquisitive
- snoopingSecretly investigating others
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
- meddlingIntrusive interference in others' concerns
busybody · eavesdropping · gossip · intruding · overstepping · pestering · probing · invasive
Moving slowly, stealthily
- terrariumGlass-walled growing enclosure
- houseplantIndoor ornamental greenery
- CorsicanPerson from French Mediterranean island
- shade-lovingPreferring low light
Formal expression of disapproval
- scoldingHarsh verbal criticism
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- warningAlert about danger
- disapprovalUnfavorable opinion expressed
criticism · caution · reproof · correction · lecture · censure · remonstrance · admonishment
confidentiality
Quality of protecting secrets
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- solitudeState of being alone
seclusion · boundaries · non-disclosure · anonymity · off-limits
independence
Freedom from external control
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- freedomAbsence of constraint
noninterference · agency · self-governance · live-and-let-live · laissez-faire · hands-off · respect · sovereignty · self-direction
limits
Imposed maximum points
- demarcationFormal boundary setting
- barriersThings blocking access
- respectRegard with honor
separation · lines · overstepping · trespassing · encroachment · territory · hands-off
indifference
Lack of interest
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
- uninvolvedNot taking part
- bystanderOne who observes nearby
neutrality · aloofness · distancing · non-involvement · withdrawal · sidelines · spectator
nosiness
Habit of prying
- pryingIntrusively inquisitive
- snoopingSecretly investigating others
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
meddling · busybody · eavesdropping · gossip · intruding · overstepping · pestering · probing · invasive · nosy-parker
creeping
Moving slowly, stealthily
- terrariumGlass-walled growing enclosure
- houseplantIndoor ornamental greenery
- CorsicanPerson from French Mediterranean island
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
disapproval · criticism · caution · reproof · correction · lecture · censure · remonstrance · admonishment · chiding
mind-your-own-businessget involved
Enter into activity
meddle · butt in · interfere · stick your nose in · pry
mind-your-own-businesstell me more
Prompt for details
open up · let me in · spill the beans · tell all · come clean
mind-your-own-businessnosiness
Habit of prying
busybody · meddlesome · nosy · prying · intrusiveness
business, minds, minded, minding, mindful, mindless, yours, yourself, owning