22 Other Ways to Say “None of Your Business”
Telling someone that a matter is “None of Your Business” can often come off as confrontational. It’s sometimes necessary to set clear boundaries while striving to be polite and maintain civility. Here are 22 alternative ways to indicate that something should remain private or unexamined by others.
Polite Rebuttals
This is a private matter…
- Example: “Thank you for your concern, but this is a private matter.”
- Explanation: Gently informs the person that the issue is not open for public discussion.
I prefer to keep this confidential…
- Example: “I would appreciate your understanding as I prefer to keep this confidential.”
- Explanation: Politely expresses a wish to maintain privacy about the subject matter.
That’s not for public discussion…
- Example: “That topic is sensitive and not for public discussion.”
- Explanation: Sets a boundary by declaring the topic off-limits for conversation.
Friendly Deflections
That’s personal…
- Example: “Sorry, but that’s personal and I’m not comfortable sharing details.”
- Explanation: Friendly but clear way of indicating that you’d rather not disclose personal information.
I’d rather not get into it…
- Example: “I understand your interest, but I’d rather not get into it right now.”
- Explanation: A soft refusal that leaves the door open for possibly discussing the matter in the future.
Let’s focus on something else…
- Example: “Let’s focus on the task at hand and leave personal topics aside.”
- Explanation: Steers the conversation away by suggesting that attention should be on other matters.
Firm Boundaries
That concerns me alone…
- Example: “That is something that concerns me alone, but thank you for your interest.”
- Explanation: Firmly states that the matter at hand only pertains to you, implying there is no room for discussion.
This isn’t open for discussion…
- Example: “This subject isn’t open for discussion, I’m afraid.”
- Explanation: Draw a clear line indicating the conversation is not to continue on this topic.
Let’s respect each other’s privacy…
- Example: “I value our relationship, so let’s respect each other’s privacy.”
- Explanation: Implies that mutual respect includes not delving into each other’s personal affairs.
Amiable Evasions
I’ll keep that to myself, thanks…
- Example: “I prefer to keep some things to myself, thanks for understanding.”
- Explanation: Conveys the decision to not share information in a respectful and appreciative manner.
That’s for me to know…
- Example: “Some things are best kept private, so that’s for me to know.”
- Explanation: A polite but definitive way of saying that the person shouldn’t worry about knowing the details.
That’s my concern…
- Example: “I value your curiosity, but that’s my concern.”
- Explanation: Acknowledges the other person’s interest before indicating your own exclusive concern with the matter.
Assertive Dismissals
It’s not something I wish to discuss…
- Example: “That aspect of my life isn’t something I wish to discuss publicly.”
- Explanation: A clear statement expressing your unwillingness to discuss the matter.
I don’t see how that’s relevant…
- Example: “I don’t see how that’s relevant to what we’re talking about, let’s move forward.”
- Explanation: Questions the applicability of the personal inquiry to the current conversation, suggesting a continuation without it.
Perhaps that’s going too far…
- Example: “Perhaps that’s going too far into my personal life—let’s stick to more general topics.”
- Explanation: Sets a polite but definite limit on the depth of personal discussion deemed appropriate.
Discreet Deflection
That’s my business…
- Example: “You’ll have to trust me when I say that’s my business.”
- Explanation: Affirms one’s right to privacy in a matter without being overtly confrontational.
That’s not up for discussion…
- Example: “That’s not up for discussion, I hope we can respect that boundary.”
- Explanation: Directly states that the topic is not to be talked about, requesting respect for privacy.
This area of my life is personal…
- Example: “This area of my life is personal, and I intend to keep it that way.”
- Explanation: Identifies a domain of personal life that is not to be encroached upon.
Redirecting the Inquiry
This doesn’t pertain to you…
- Example: “This matter doesn’t pertain to you, so let’s not dwell on it.”
- Explanation: Shifts attention away from the issue by stating its irrelevance to the other person.
That’s off-limits…
- Example: “I keep that aspect of my life off-limits from work, so let’s discuss something else.”
- Explanation: Clearly defines personal topics as off-limits in certain contexts, like the workplace.
That subject is not on the table…
- Example: “When it comes to my family, that subject is not on the table for discussion.”
- Explanation: Indicates a topic that is deliberately excluded from being discussed.
Casual Brush-offs
That’s under wraps…
- Example: “I prefer to keep that part of my life under wraps.”
- Explanation: A conversational way of saying that the matter is kept private without further elaboration.
I’m keeping that card close to my chest…
- Example: “Regarding my plans for the future, I’m keeping that card close to my chest.”
- Explanation: Uses a card-playing metaphor to say that certain information is being withheld.
That falls into the ‘none of your concern’ category…
- Example: “I think that falls into the ‘none of your concern’ category, let’s move on, shall we?”
- Explanation: A more laidback way of indicating a topic should not be of concern to the other person.
In each example, the level of politeness and directness can be adjusted to suit the context and your relationship with the other person, ensuring that boundaries are set in a manner that is respectful yet clear.
