No dice

Meaning

Not going to happen.

Usage

Used to refuse requests or ideas.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Gambling slang where dice rolls determined outcomes and disagreements led to rejection.

Popularized in 20th-century American slang for hard refusals.