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Social (General)
I don't want to impose
Said when declining an offer while hoping it will be repeated
Literal Meaning
I → First-person pronoun; don't → do not; want → desire; to → preposition; impose → force upon.
Actual Meaning
I actually want something but am being polite - hoping you'll insist
Examples in Context

Guest: 'I don't want to impose...' (Translation: Please insist - I'd like to accept)

Helpful Tips
  • 1Usually want you to insist
  • 2Offer again to show sincerity
  • 3If they still decline after insistence, respect it
Phrase Thesaurus
Similar words and synonyms for this phrase
I don't want to intrude
I'm just being polite
I'd rather not trouble you
I don't want to be a burden
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