How can I say I can't guarantee information I'm about to give is correct?

The name of the pictureThe name of the pictureThe name of the pictureClash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP












18















In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.



Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?










share|improve this question
























  • don't take for granted maybe.

    – dbl
    Jan 14 at 14:16






  • 3





    Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

    – choster
    Jan 14 at 14:54






  • 7





    To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

    – wedstrom
    Jan 14 at 18:52







  • 1





    "Off the top of my head" or "offhand" maybe?

    – RedBaron
    Jan 15 at 5:18







  • 2





    @KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Jan 15 at 10:53
















18















In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.



Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?










share|improve this question
























  • don't take for granted maybe.

    – dbl
    Jan 14 at 14:16






  • 3





    Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

    – choster
    Jan 14 at 14:54






  • 7





    To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

    – wedstrom
    Jan 14 at 18:52







  • 1





    "Off the top of my head" or "offhand" maybe?

    – RedBaron
    Jan 15 at 5:18







  • 2





    @KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Jan 15 at 10:53














18












18








18


5






In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.



Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?










share|improve this question
















In German, there's an idiom that goes like "Nagel mich nicht darauf fest" (literally, "don't nail me down on that!") usually followed my some kind of information that is given without complete assurance or guarantee that it is correct.



Now I'm wondering what would be the correct way of saying this in English. Is it "don't pin me down on that!"? Or something else?







idioms translation german






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Jan 17 at 12:22









NotThatGuy

1133




1133










asked Jan 14 at 14:12









Fabian HabersackFabian Habersack

10616




10616












  • don't take for granted maybe.

    – dbl
    Jan 14 at 14:16






  • 3





    Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

    – choster
    Jan 14 at 14:54






  • 7





    To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

    – wedstrom
    Jan 14 at 18:52







  • 1





    "Off the top of my head" or "offhand" maybe?

    – RedBaron
    Jan 15 at 5:18







  • 2





    @KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Jan 15 at 10:53


















  • don't take for granted maybe.

    – dbl
    Jan 14 at 14:16






  • 3





    Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

    – choster
    Jan 14 at 14:54






  • 7





    To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

    – wedstrom
    Jan 14 at 18:52







  • 1





    "Off the top of my head" or "offhand" maybe?

    – RedBaron
    Jan 15 at 5:18







  • 2





    @KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Jan 15 at 10:53

















don't take for granted maybe.

– dbl
Jan 14 at 14:16





don't take for granted maybe.

– dbl
Jan 14 at 14:16




3




3





Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

– choster
Jan 14 at 14:54





Similar: What is the shorter way of saying - “I am sharing my understanding, in a hope to get corrected”?

– choster
Jan 14 at 14:54




7




7





To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

– wedstrom
Jan 14 at 18:52






To be honest, don't pin me down on that sounds so idiomatic most people wouldn't even realize it's not a thing (in fact, the only reason I don't think it's a thing is that these English stack exchange guys would have found it!) (USA)

– wedstrom
Jan 14 at 18:52





1




1





"Off the top of my head" or "offhand" maybe?

– RedBaron
Jan 15 at 5:18






"Off the top of my head" or "offhand" maybe?

– RedBaron
Jan 15 at 5:18





2




2





@KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Jan 15 at 10:53






@KyleDelaney Replace that with this and the information can come afterwards: “Don’t pin me down on this, but I think…”. (German darauf is indifferent to deixis in this context; it can be either this or that.)

– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Jan 15 at 10:53











8 Answers
8






active

oldest

votes


















52















"Don't hold me to that!"




to hold Vocabulary.com




  • keep in a certain state, position, or activity

  • maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)



And your suggestion is nice too:




  • 'Don't pin me down on this'



and does not carry negative connotations.






share|improve this answer




















  • 7





    @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

    – Martin Bonner
    Jan 14 at 16:01






  • 4





    "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

    – Martin Barker
    Jan 14 at 16:28






  • 12





    @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

    – Tashus
    Jan 14 at 21:35






  • 6





    "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

    – Kyle Delaney
    Jan 15 at 0:13






  • 2





    "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

    – Colm
    Jan 15 at 14:10


















92














I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.



From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.



Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":




"Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)




Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:




The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)




Examples of facetious usage:




Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)



We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)







share|improve this answer






























    14














    The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:




    Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.



    But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.



    The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.




    There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”




    We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ



    “Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.



    “Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”

    “I doubt you'll ever have to.”

    “All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.




    The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:




    Can’t be certain

    I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)

    Don’t hold me to it







    share|improve this answer
































      13














      Take this with a grain of salt




      (With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
      English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
      to interpret something literally




      Source: wikipedia



      Another definition and an example from theidioms.com




      accept, but with some reservations or skepticism




      Example:




      I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
      exaggerating things.







      share|improve this answer


















      • 3





        As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

        – TonyK
        Jan 15 at 13:49


















      6














      "...but no guarantees"



      Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.



      Caveat emptor



      This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.






      share|improve this answer






























        5














        This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,



        "your mileage may vary"



        is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.






        share|improve this answer






























          2














          Other answers are attempting to give English versions of the German idiom but if I was giving information which I was unsure of there are more direct, non-idiomatic, ways of doing this.



          "As far as I know..."
          eg: As far as I know he was only here for three weeks.



          "It is my understanding that..."
          eg: It's my understanding that there will be free food.



          Both of those are very easily and naturally followed by some of the idioms given in other answers.
          eg: As far as I know the pay is $50 an hour, but don't hold me to that.






          share|improve this answer






























            1














            "All care, no responsibility".

            While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.



            "I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
            = I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
            The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.



            Caveat Emptor.
            "Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.



            Your mileage may vary / YMMV.

            I tend to use this :-).

            Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
            Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.

            YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.






            share|improve this answer






















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              8 Answers
              8






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              8 Answers
              8






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              active

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              52















              "Don't hold me to that!"




              to hold Vocabulary.com




              • keep in a certain state, position, or activity

              • maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)



              And your suggestion is nice too:




              • 'Don't pin me down on this'



              and does not carry negative connotations.






              share|improve this answer




















              • 7





                @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

                – Martin Bonner
                Jan 14 at 16:01






              • 4





                "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

                – Martin Barker
                Jan 14 at 16:28






              • 12





                @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

                – Tashus
                Jan 14 at 21:35






              • 6





                "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

                – Kyle Delaney
                Jan 15 at 0:13






              • 2





                "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

                – Colm
                Jan 15 at 14:10















              52















              "Don't hold me to that!"




              to hold Vocabulary.com




              • keep in a certain state, position, or activity

              • maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)



              And your suggestion is nice too:




              • 'Don't pin me down on this'



              and does not carry negative connotations.






              share|improve this answer




















              • 7





                @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

                – Martin Bonner
                Jan 14 at 16:01






              • 4





                "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

                – Martin Barker
                Jan 14 at 16:28






              • 12





                @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

                – Tashus
                Jan 14 at 21:35






              • 6





                "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

                – Kyle Delaney
                Jan 15 at 0:13






              • 2





                "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

                – Colm
                Jan 15 at 14:10













              52












              52








              52








              "Don't hold me to that!"




              to hold Vocabulary.com




              • keep in a certain state, position, or activity

              • maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)



              And your suggestion is nice too:




              • 'Don't pin me down on this'



              and does not carry negative connotations.






              share|improve this answer
















              "Don't hold me to that!"




              to hold Vocabulary.com




              • keep in a certain state, position, or activity

              • maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)



              And your suggestion is nice too:




              • 'Don't pin me down on this'



              and does not carry negative connotations.







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited Jan 14 at 15:11

























              answered Jan 14 at 14:28









              lbflbf

              20.2k22572




              20.2k22572







              • 7





                @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

                – Martin Bonner
                Jan 14 at 16:01






              • 4





                "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

                – Martin Barker
                Jan 14 at 16:28






              • 12





                @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

                – Tashus
                Jan 14 at 21:35






              • 6





                "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

                – Kyle Delaney
                Jan 15 at 0:13






              • 2





                "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

                – Colm
                Jan 15 at 14:10












              • 7





                @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

                – Martin Bonner
                Jan 14 at 16:01






              • 4





                "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

                – Martin Barker
                Jan 14 at 16:28






              • 12





                @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

                – Tashus
                Jan 14 at 21:35






              • 6





                "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

                – Kyle Delaney
                Jan 15 at 0:13






              • 2





                "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

                – Colm
                Jan 15 at 14:10







              7




              7





              @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

              – Martin Bonner
              Jan 14 at 16:01





              @FabianHabersack No. "Don't pin me down on that" means "Don't force me to give a definitive answer on that" - the meaning is subtly different.

              – Martin Bonner
              Jan 14 at 16:01




              4




              4





              "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

              – Martin Barker
              Jan 14 at 16:28





              "Don't hold me to that" is used after the statement whereas "don't quote me on this" is used before the statement

              – Martin Barker
              Jan 14 at 16:28




              12




              12





              @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

              – Tashus
              Jan 14 at 21:35





              @MartinBarker I think "this" is used before and "that" is used after, but the verb choice is independent of position. "Don't hold me to this, but..." and "..., but don't quote me on that" are both perfectly fine.

              – Tashus
              Jan 14 at 21:35




              6




              6





              "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

              – Kyle Delaney
              Jan 15 at 0:13





              "Don't quote me on that" is far more commonly recognized. "Don't hold me to that" isn't unheard of but it more often refers to promises or agreements or deals rather than information

              – Kyle Delaney
              Jan 15 at 0:13




              2




              2





              "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

              – Colm
              Jan 15 at 14:10





              "Don't hold me to that!" is used when giving an assurance or making a casual appointment rather than when sharing information.

              – Colm
              Jan 15 at 14:10













              92














              I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.



              From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.



              Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":




              "Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)




              Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:




              The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)




              Examples of facetious usage:




              Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)



              We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)







              share|improve this answer



























                92














                I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.



                From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.



                Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":




                "Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)




                Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:




                The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)




                Examples of facetious usage:




                Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)



                We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)







                share|improve this answer

























                  92












                  92








                  92







                  I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.



                  From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.



                  Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":




                  "Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)




                  Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:




                  The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)




                  Examples of facetious usage:




                  Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)



                  We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)







                  share|improve this answer













                  I would suggest don't quote me on this as the phrase you seek. The literal meaning of course, is to ask that responsibility for a statement not be ascribed to the person making it, such as an insider leaking private information to a journalist. It is a request that the statement be paraphrased, perhaps, but particularly that the name of the person making it not be indicated.



                  From there, don't quote me has taken on a sense of I believe what I am saying is true, but I may be inaccurate in particular details or I am presenting gossip or conjecture as truth, but I do not have factual information to support it, and from there it has perhaps become an even more generic mechanism for distancing a speaker from the statement. It is often used jokingly in this way, to make a humorous impression, draw an outrageous analogy, make an insulting comment, and so on but quickly indicate to the reader or listener that the speaker is not making a serious argument.



                  Literal sense of "please do not ascribe a quote to me":




                  "Holy shit!" exclaimed one Republican on the Armed Services Committee when a reporter shared the news about Mattis. "Don’t quote me on that." (The Hill)




                  Sense of I am making a statement but understand my information is incomplete or inaccurate:




                  The West Virginia/Syracuse line had a lot of movement around gametime, so don't quote me on who ended up being the favorite in that game, but I'm fairly certain either every single or almost every single Big 12 team was an underdog for their bowl game. (Dallas Morning News)




                  Examples of facetious usage:




                  Roughly speaking, there are 1,000,000 yoga teachers in London alone and only 100,000 studios (don't quote me on those statistics). (The Daily Telegraph)



                  We in the West scoff our Pop Tarts (surely descended from the Cornish pasty? Don’t quote me on that!)… (The Independent)








                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Jan 14 at 15:25









                  chosterchoster

                  37.2k1484136




                  37.2k1484136





















                      14














                      The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:




                      Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.



                      But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.



                      The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.




                      There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”




                      We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ



                      “Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.



                      “Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”

                      “I doubt you'll ever have to.”

                      “All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.




                      The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:




                      Can’t be certain

                      I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)

                      Don’t hold me to it







                      share|improve this answer





























                        14














                        The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:




                        Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.



                        But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.



                        The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.




                        There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”




                        We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ



                        “Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.



                        “Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”

                        “I doubt you'll ever have to.”

                        “All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.




                        The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:




                        Can’t be certain

                        I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)

                        Don’t hold me to it







                        share|improve this answer



























                          14












                          14








                          14







                          The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:




                          Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.



                          But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.



                          The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.




                          There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”




                          We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ



                          “Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.



                          “Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”

                          “I doubt you'll ever have to.”

                          “All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.




                          The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:




                          Can’t be certain

                          I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)

                          Don’t hold me to it







                          share|improve this answer















                          The identical expression exists in English, but it deals with specificity or the ease of categorization rather than truth or accuracy:




                          Unfortunately, this guess can't be nailed down without lots of additional research. — “Something is flashing brightly in deep space and scientists have no idea why,” BGR.com, 4 Apr. 2018.



                          But on Tuesday, he said “I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for.” — “Howard Schultz on presidential speculation: ‘Let's see what happens,’” CNBC.com, 5 June 2018.



                          The answer isn't that simple, it can't be nailed down to just one particular issue or one reason. — “This is Why Farmland Prices Really Won't Come Down,” DreamDirt blog, 14 Jan. 2018.




                          There are several equivalents in English for introducing a rough guess/estimate or any statement whose accuracy a speaker is unable to vouch for. Perhaps the most common one is “Don’t hold me to it…”




                          We have about a half a million people, I think. Don't hold me to it. — Culture and countries, Tulsa, LingQ



                          “Where is that big-headed husband of yours?” Tonee asked Keylona. “Don't hold me to it, but he said he had a lot of work he had to get done around the office today.” — Chillee Willee, Say It Isn’t So, 2010.



                          “Can’t say for certain, and I sure as hell couldn’t testify to it, you know, under oath or anything like that.”

                          “I doubt you'll ever have to.”

                          “All right, long as you don’t hold me to it. I’d say it started in the parlor on the ground floor. Somebody put a candle too close to a curtain in the front window, the curtain caught fire, and the whole place went up. I got no proof of that, of course, but I did find the brass candlestick.” — Christopher C. Gibbs, Rest Her Soul: A James Buckner Novel, 2012.




                          The firefighter in this novel manages to hedge his guess about what started a fire with three expressions:




                          Can’t be certain

                          I couldn’t testify to it (more common: couldn’t swear to it)

                          Don’t hold me to it








                          share|improve this answer














                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer








                          edited Jan 14 at 16:52

























                          answered Jan 14 at 15:22









                          KarlGKarlG

                          20.7k52857




                          20.7k52857





















                              13














                              Take this with a grain of salt




                              (With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
                              English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
                              to interpret something literally




                              Source: wikipedia



                              Another definition and an example from theidioms.com




                              accept, but with some reservations or skepticism




                              Example:




                              I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
                              exaggerating things.







                              share|improve this answer


















                              • 3





                                As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                                – TonyK
                                Jan 15 at 13:49















                              13














                              Take this with a grain of salt




                              (With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
                              English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
                              to interpret something literally




                              Source: wikipedia



                              Another definition and an example from theidioms.com




                              accept, but with some reservations or skepticism




                              Example:




                              I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
                              exaggerating things.







                              share|improve this answer


















                              • 3





                                As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                                – TonyK
                                Jan 15 at 13:49













                              13












                              13








                              13







                              Take this with a grain of salt




                              (With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
                              English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
                              to interpret something literally




                              Source: wikipedia



                              Another definition and an example from theidioms.com




                              accept, but with some reservations or skepticism




                              Example:




                              I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
                              exaggerating things.







                              share|improve this answer













                              Take this with a grain of salt




                              (With) a grain of salt", (or "a pinch of salt") is an idiom of the
                              English language, which means to view something with scepticism or not
                              to interpret something literally




                              Source: wikipedia



                              Another definition and an example from theidioms.com




                              accept, but with some reservations or skepticism




                              Example:




                              I’ll take anything he says with a grain of salt. He has a habit of
                              exaggerating things.








                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered Jan 14 at 20:18









                              The Gilbert Arenas DaggerThe Gilbert Arenas Dagger

                              2472




                              2472







                              • 3





                                As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                                – TonyK
                                Jan 15 at 13:49












                              • 3





                                As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                                – TonyK
                                Jan 15 at 13:49







                              3




                              3





                              As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                              – TonyK
                              Jan 15 at 13:49





                              As your example shows, this idiom usually refers to what somebody else has said, not what you yourself have said.

                              – TonyK
                              Jan 15 at 13:49











                              6














                              "...but no guarantees"



                              Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.



                              Caveat emptor



                              This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.






                              share|improve this answer



























                                6














                                "...but no guarantees"



                                Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.



                                Caveat emptor



                                This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.






                                share|improve this answer

























                                  6












                                  6








                                  6







                                  "...but no guarantees"



                                  Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.



                                  Caveat emptor



                                  This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.






                                  share|improve this answer













                                  "...but no guarantees"



                                  Literally this means that the giver has no responsibility to the receiver if the "product" (in this case, the advice/assertion) proves to be faulty.



                                  Caveat emptor



                                  This is a far less common phrase, but it would usually be understood by educated people. It has a very similar meaning to the above. It basically means "buyer beware". In my experience this is far more frequently used in writing than spoken.







                                  share|improve this answer












                                  share|improve this answer



                                  share|improve this answer










                                  answered Jan 15 at 8:35









                                  ArteliusArtelius

                                  25113




                                  25113





















                                      5














                                      This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,



                                      "your mileage may vary"



                                      is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.






                                      share|improve this answer



























                                        5














                                        This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,



                                        "your mileage may vary"



                                        is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.






                                        share|improve this answer

























                                          5












                                          5








                                          5







                                          This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,



                                          "your mileage may vary"



                                          is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.






                                          share|improve this answer













                                          This is not the most direct translation, but as an idiom,



                                          "your mileage may vary"



                                          is often used to indicate that the preceding information might not prove to be completely accurate, perhaps because your own circumstances differ from those of the person imparting it.







                                          share|improve this answer












                                          share|improve this answer



                                          share|improve this answer










                                          answered Jan 15 at 10:10









                                          user3490user3490

                                          68234




                                          68234





















                                              2














                                              Other answers are attempting to give English versions of the German idiom but if I was giving information which I was unsure of there are more direct, non-idiomatic, ways of doing this.



                                              "As far as I know..."
                                              eg: As far as I know he was only here for three weeks.



                                              "It is my understanding that..."
                                              eg: It's my understanding that there will be free food.



                                              Both of those are very easily and naturally followed by some of the idioms given in other answers.
                                              eg: As far as I know the pay is $50 an hour, but don't hold me to that.






                                              share|improve this answer



























                                                2














                                                Other answers are attempting to give English versions of the German idiom but if I was giving information which I was unsure of there are more direct, non-idiomatic, ways of doing this.



                                                "As far as I know..."
                                                eg: As far as I know he was only here for three weeks.



                                                "It is my understanding that..."
                                                eg: It's my understanding that there will be free food.



                                                Both of those are very easily and naturally followed by some of the idioms given in other answers.
                                                eg: As far as I know the pay is $50 an hour, but don't hold me to that.






                                                share|improve this answer

























                                                  2












                                                  2








                                                  2







                                                  Other answers are attempting to give English versions of the German idiom but if I was giving information which I was unsure of there are more direct, non-idiomatic, ways of doing this.



                                                  "As far as I know..."
                                                  eg: As far as I know he was only here for three weeks.



                                                  "It is my understanding that..."
                                                  eg: It's my understanding that there will be free food.



                                                  Both of those are very easily and naturally followed by some of the idioms given in other answers.
                                                  eg: As far as I know the pay is $50 an hour, but don't hold me to that.






                                                  share|improve this answer













                                                  Other answers are attempting to give English versions of the German idiom but if I was giving information which I was unsure of there are more direct, non-idiomatic, ways of doing this.



                                                  "As far as I know..."
                                                  eg: As far as I know he was only here for three weeks.



                                                  "It is my understanding that..."
                                                  eg: It's my understanding that there will be free food.



                                                  Both of those are very easily and naturally followed by some of the idioms given in other answers.
                                                  eg: As far as I know the pay is $50 an hour, but don't hold me to that.







                                                  share|improve this answer












                                                  share|improve this answer



                                                  share|improve this answer










                                                  answered Jan 17 at 13:55









                                                  Eric NolanEric Nolan

                                                  88225




                                                  88225





















                                                      1














                                                      "All care, no responsibility".

                                                      While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.



                                                      "I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
                                                      = I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
                                                      The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.



                                                      Caveat Emptor.
                                                      "Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.



                                                      Your mileage may vary / YMMV.

                                                      I tend to use this :-).

                                                      Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
                                                      Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.

                                                      YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.






                                                      share|improve this answer



























                                                        1














                                                        "All care, no responsibility".

                                                        While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.



                                                        "I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
                                                        = I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
                                                        The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.



                                                        Caveat Emptor.
                                                        "Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.



                                                        Your mileage may vary / YMMV.

                                                        I tend to use this :-).

                                                        Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
                                                        Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.

                                                        YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.






                                                        share|improve this answer

























                                                          1












                                                          1








                                                          1







                                                          "All care, no responsibility".

                                                          While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.



                                                          "I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
                                                          = I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
                                                          The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.



                                                          Caveat Emptor.
                                                          "Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.



                                                          Your mileage may vary / YMMV.

                                                          I tend to use this :-).

                                                          Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
                                                          Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.

                                                          YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.






                                                          share|improve this answer













                                                          "All care, no responsibility".

                                                          While this can be a formal disclaimer it is as likely to be a somewhat lighthearted response and quite a good fit to what you asked about.



                                                          "I am no a lawyer, but ..." / IANAL, ...:
                                                          = I believe this advice is good BUT I am not legally qualified to give it and it's not my fault if it's wrong.
                                                          The "IANAL" is seen only in written form.



                                                          Caveat Emptor.
                                                          "Let the buyer beware". While this probably originated as a formal warning it's usually now seen more in light hearted or informal form.



                                                          Your mileage may vary / YMMV.

                                                          I tend to use this :-).

                                                          Based on US mpg claims for motor vehicles. It's noting that even though the test car achieved these results there is no certainty that YOUR car will.
                                                          Now used in many situations to indicate what may be expected, with the warning that actual experiences may differ.

                                                          YMMV largely used in written situations but would be understandable if used verbally in some situations.







                                                          share|improve this answer












                                                          share|improve this answer



                                                          share|improve this answer










                                                          answered Jan 16 at 12:47









                                                          Russell McMahonRussell McMahon

                                                          2,990715




                                                          2,990715



























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