English Expression · Native
say it ain't so
Used to express disbelief or dismay
Pronunciation: say say it ain't so
Meaning
Used to express disbelief or dismay.
Example
― Dude, what happened to “borrowing” my car for a ride? ― I'm so sorry, dude. Your car… is in a river right now… ― Say it ain't so…
― Dude, what happened to “borrowing” my car for a ride? ― I'm so sorry, dude. Your car… is in a river right now… ― Say it ain't so…
Practice tips
- Practice say it ain't so out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English expression is for native-level learners.