nothing personal
Not about you
Nothing personal is a phrase used to soften criticism, rejection, or harsh action by framing it as situational rather than targeted: I'm letting you go—nothing personal, just business.
The expression attempts to separate the act from any animosity toward the person affected.
It often rings hollow, since the recipient still suffers the consequences regardless of intent.
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- no hard feelingsAbsence of lingering resentment
- neutralityState of taking sides
- rationalitySound judgment quality
- boundariesLines marking separation
impartiality · dispassion · reasonableness · by the book · misunderstanding · tact · fairness · disclaimer · clarification · accountability · business · perspective · policy · phrasing · logic · diplomacy · tone · procedure
nothing personalvendetta
Prolonged retaliatory conflict
grudge · blood feud · spite · I hate you · bad blood
nothing personalintimate
Closely personal or private
heartfelt · passionate · from the heart · with feeling · emotionally charged
nothing, personal, thing, things, nothingness, person, persons, personally, personalize