be unwilling to do something
11be not about to do something — be unwilling to do something he is not about to step down after so long …
12unable to do something — formal phrase not able to do something In ordinary speech can’t do something is the more usual way of saying this Some of the children were unable to read or write. feel unable to do something: Many teenagers feel unable to talk to their parents… …
13unable to do something — formal not able to do something. In ordinary speech can t do something is the more usual way of saying this Some of the children were unable to read or write. feel unable to do something: Many teenagers feel unable to talk to their parents about… …
14have something to say for yourself — have something/a lot/nothing/etc to say for yourself phrase to be fairly/very/not at all keen to talk, especially about yourself and your reasons for doing something He didn’t have a lot to say for himself. She’s always got far too much to say… …
15not give something houseroom — Brit. be unwilling to have or consider something. → houseroom …
16can't be doing with something doing something — can t be doing with sb/sth/sb doing sth idiom (informal) used to say that you do not like sth and are unwilling to accept it • I can t be doing with people who complain all the time. • I can t be doing with you moaning all the time …
17fight shy of something doing something — fight ˈshy of sth/of doing sth f20 idiom to be unwilling to accept sth or do sth, and to try to avoid it • Successive governments have fought shy of such measures. Main entry: ↑fightidiom …
18shrink from something — ˈshrink from sth derived to be unwilling to do sth that is difficult or unpleasant • We made it clear to them that we would not shrink from confrontation. • shrink from something doing sth They did not shrink from doing what was right. Main entry …
19stop short of something doing something — stop short of sth/of doing sth idiom to be unwilling to do sth because it may involve a risk, but to nearly do it • She stopped short of calling the president a liar. • The protest stopped short of a violent confrontation. Main entry: ↑stopidiom …
20can't be doing with somebody doing something — can t be doing with sb/sth/sb doing sth idiom (informal) used to say that you do not like sth and are unwilling to accept it • I can t be doing with people who complain all the time. • I can t be doing with you moaning all the time …
