refusal

Everyday

A refusal is when someone says no, or will not do, give or accept something. tree →

In the lessons

In stories a refusal can start a conflict: the king's refusal to help. In everyday life and safety: a firm refusal is the right answer to a stranger's offer of a lift or to pressure to do something dangerous. In sport (horse riding), a refusal is when a horse will not jump. Phrases: a flat refusal, refusal to, met with refusal.

Examples

• His refusal to share made his sister cry. tree →
• The shop's refusal to give a refund was unfair. tree →
• She gave a polite but firm refusal. tree →
• The horse made a refusal at the last fence. tree →
• Your refusal to get in a stranger's car was exactly right. tree →
• The council's refusal surprised everyone. tree →
• Watanabe could not hold out in his refusal any longer, so he gave in at last, saying: tree →

Note

Countable: a refusal, refusals. Spelled -al with one l. Verb: refuse (re-FUSE). Do not confuse with the noun «refuse» (REF-use), which means rubbish.