refuse

Everyday

1. To refuse means to say no, or to not do something you are asked to do. tree →
2. To refuse something means to not accept it: she refused the offer. tree →
3. As a noun (said REF-yoos), refuse means rubbish or waste. tree →

In the lessons

In safety lessons refusing is a strong skill: you can refuse to go with a stranger, refuse to keep an unsafe secret, and refuse to join in bullying. In stories a character who refuses shows they are stubborn, brave or angry. In everyday life a «refuse collection» is the rubbish collection (UK). Phrases: refuse to, refuse an offer, flatly refuse.

Examples

• He refused to share his toys. tree →
• It's okay to refuse if someone asks you to do something unsafe. tree →
• The dog refused to eat its dinner. tree →
• She refused the sweets because she had an allergy. tree →
• The donkey refused to move. tree →
• The refuse lorry takes away the rubbish on Mondays. tree →
• I asked him to stop, but he refused. tree →
• You can refuse a hug if you don't want one. tree →
• At first I refused to go. tree →

Note

Two words spelled the same: re-FUSE (verb, say no) and REF-use (noun, rubbish). Use «refuse to» + verb: «refused to go». The noun for the act of saying no is «refusal». Politely refusing: «No, thank you».

In Jewish tradition

In Jeremiah, people refuse to return to God, and are called refuse silver because God has rejected them. Proverbs tells the listener not to refuse instruction.

Interpretation. Pharaoh's refusal is the cause of the ten plagues, and tradition reads it as a hardened heart. Jeremiah's picture of worthless silver is read as a warning about a people who will not be refined.

Examples

• For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, (Torah EXO.9.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border; wherefore Israel turned away from him. (Torah NUM.20.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs. (Torah EXO.8.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. (Prophets JER.8.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. (Writings PRO.8.33, JPS 1917) tree →
• Refuse silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them. (Prophets JER.6.30, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Two words spelled the same: re-FUSE (verb, say no) and REF-use (noun, rubbish). Use «refuse to» + verb: «refused to go». The noun for the act of saying no is «refusal». Politely refusing: «No, thank you».