not on
phrase
British, informal
1
: not acceptable or proper
Cheating old ladies out of their savings just isn't on.
2
: not possible
I'm afraid that scheme's just not on.
Examples of not on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The matter was not on the city’s agenda but was brought on as a walk-on item at the top of the meeting.
—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
Her focus is not on any one single country but on the protection of children throughout the world.
—
Beth Bailey,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Not unlike brothers Prince William and Prince Harry—who are also reportedly not on speaking terms—Charles and Andrew were once close.
—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
1 July 2026
Note that the Username button will only appear on your primary mobile device, and not on the WhatsApp web or desktop app.
—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
30 June 2026
Why Our Brains Sometimes Work Against Us Our brains are primed to look for danger—a threat-detection instinct that still serves us in certain circumstances, but not on the cusp of our own accomplishments.
—
Karyn Gallant,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Moderate evidence shows that chiropractic care has effects similar to that of physical therapists, another group not on the list.
—
David S. Shapiro,
STAT,
30 June 2026
The farm system features only one notable pitching prospect, Jaxon Wiggins, who’s on a minor-league rehab assignment and not on the near-term radar.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Whether a black hole appears dark or dazzling depends largely on how much gas and dust surrounds it, not on the black hole itself.
—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
29 June 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
Her focus is not on any one single country but on the protection of children throughout the world.
—
Beth Bailey,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Not unlike brothers Prince William and Prince Harry—who are also reportedly not on speaking terms—Charles and Andrew were once close.
—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
1 July 2026
Note that the Username button will only appear on your primary mobile device, and not on the WhatsApp web or desktop app.
—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
30 June 2026
Why Our Brains Sometimes Work Against Us Our brains are primed to look for danger—a threat-detection instinct that still serves us in certain circumstances, but not on the cusp of our own accomplishments.
—
Karyn Gallant,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Moderate evidence shows that chiropractic care has effects similar to that of physical therapists, another group not on the list.
—
David S. Shapiro,
STAT,
30 June 2026
The farm system features only one notable pitching prospect, Jaxon Wiggins, who’s on a minor-league rehab assignment and not on the near-term radar.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Whether a black hole appears dark or dazzling depends largely on how much gas and dust surrounds it, not on the black hole itself.
—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
29 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Not on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20on. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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