not buying it

USAGE SUMMARY

"not buying it" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to express disbelief or skepticism about something. Example: "He tried to convince me that he was innocent, but I’m not buying it." Alternative expressions include "not convinced" and "not believing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"They're not buying it".

The New York Times

Not buying it?

The New York Times

I'm not buying it.

The Guardian - Music

[Clearly not buying it].

The Guardian - Sport

We're not buying it.

The New York Times

Girard's players are not buying it.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm not buying it," he added.

The New York Times

But younger Republicans were not buying it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some residents are not buying it.

The New York Times

And we are not buying it now.

The New York Times

But many Greeks were not buying it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When conveying serious disagreement or skepticism in formal settings, consider alternatives like "I remain unconvinced" or "I find that hard to believe".

Common error

Avoid using "not buying it" in formal documents or professional correspondence. It may be perceived as unprofessional due to its informal tone. Choose a more formal alternative like "I am skeptical of this claim".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not buying it" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express disbelief, skepticism, or disagreement. It serves to reject a claim or explanation as untrue or unconvincing, as shown in Ludwig examples, indicating a rejection of the information presented.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not buying it" is a common and grammatically correct way to express disbelief or skepticism, as confirmed by Ludwig. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it adds a casual tone to communication. While highly frequent in informal settings, it's crucial to opt for more formal alternatives like "I remain unconvinced" in professional contexts. Ludwig AI underlines the phrase's role in rejecting claims or explanations deemed untruthful, reinforcing its purpose as an expression of doubt. Understanding its appropriate usage ensures effective communication across diverse settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I don't believe it

Directly expresses disbelief.

I'm skeptical

Indicates a cautious doubt.

I'm unconvinced

Suggests a lack of persuasion.

I doubt that

Expresses uncertainty about the truth.

I'm not falling for it

Implies awareness of deception.

That's hard to believe

Indicates difficulty in accepting something as true.

I'm having doubts

Expresses uncertainty or skepticism.

I'm not persuaded

Suggests that the argument or evidence is not convincing.

I'm calling it into question

Directly challenges the validity of something.

I remain dubious

Maintains a skeptical stance.

FAQs

What does "not buying it" mean?

The expression "not buying it" means that someone does not believe something is true or genuine. It expresses skepticism or disbelief.

How can I use "not buying it" in a sentence?

You can use "not buying it" when someone says something you don't believe. For example, "He said he was late because of traffic, but I'm "not buying it"."

What's a more formal way to say "not buying it"?

More formal alternatives to "not buying it" include phrases like "I remain unconvinced", "I find that hard to believe", or "I am skeptical".

Is "not buying it" appropriate for professional communication?

While "not buying it" is acceptable in informal conversation, it's generally better to use more professional language in business or academic contexts. Instead, opt for expressions like "I have reservations" or "I question the validity of this claim".