take no for an answer
Accept a refusal
To take no for an answer is to accept a refusal or rejection.
The phrase appears almost exclusively in the negative: someone who won't take no for an answer persists despite being turned down.
This can be admirable persistence in sales or negotiation, or inappropriate pressure when someone's boundaries should be respected.
- stubbornnessRefusal to yield
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
respect · inflexible · assertiveness · boundaries · personal boundaries · autonomy · closure · obstinacy · unyielding · hard sell · pushy salesman · refusal · no means no · steadfastness · rejection · consent · back off · back down