[Idiom] Where to get off

[alikhalili71]

Hi,
Suppose I want to tell someone that he/she is asking me for too much (e.g. money). Can I say to him/her "where to get off"? What would a native speaker say in this case?
Note: He/She is trying to borrow money heavily from me.
Excuse me for missing context.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Alikhalili:


In my opinion, it would not be a good idea to tell someone: "Where do you get off asking me that question?"

It is very rude.

It means something like: How dare you ask me that question! Who do you think you are?


James

 

[MikeNewYork]

For me, that depends a great deal on what he/she is asking for too much of and how it is being asked. Do you have any specific examples?

 

[alikhalili71]

For me, that depends a great deal on what he/she is asking for too much of and how it is being asked. Do you have any specific examples?

Yes. For example, he wanted $5000, but I told him where to get off.

 

[emsr2d2]

It works when you are reporting the conversation later - "I told him where to get off" but we don't actually say to someone anything like "I'm telling you where to get off".

 

[alikhalili71]

It works when you are reporting the conversation later - "I told him where to get off" but we don't actually say to someone anything like "I'm telling you where to get off".

Well. But, what can I say in this case?

 

[MikeNewYork]

If the person was a very close friend, you could say, "I'm sorry, I don't have that kind of money."
If the person was a casual friend, you could say, "I'm sorry, I don't lend money to anyone."
If the person was close to being a stranger, I might say "Do I look like an ATM machine to you?" (Yes, that one is rude, but sometimes rude works.)

 

[tzfujimino]

If the person was close to being a stranger, I might say "Do I look like an ATM machine to you?"

I love that one.:lol:

 

[tzfujimino]

I don't really understand the context the OP gave.
Is he trying to borrow that much money or is he trying to negotiate a price?

 

[MikeNewYork]

That is a good question. I read it as a request for a loan, but it could be a price for a product or service.

 

[Barb_D]

You're wrong. I'm talking about money or something like that.

What a nice way to respond so someone tyring to help you.
Where do you get off treating people like that?

As can see, that *is* how it's used. Where do you get off asking me for that kind of money! -- This would be the response you might be looking for, realizing it's (as The Parser says) quite rude.

 

[emsr2d2]

"Do I look like an ATM machine to you?"

It might be of interest to learners to know that "ATM machine" is a perfect example of tautology which is used unwittingly by probably millions of people every day.

ATM = Automated Teller Machine

... so "ATM machine" means "Automated Teller Machine machine".

Another example is "PIN number" when referring to using a debit or credit card. PIN = Personal Identification Number. You don't need to say "number" again after it.

(Sorry to go off-topic.)

 

[MikeNewYork]

Good point! Sometimes what is used is not logical,

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

Since we are off topic, how about VIN number? Vehicle Identification Number number.

Or the infamous HIV virus?

 

[emsr2d2]

"VIN number" I've heard fairly frequently (I don't spend much time talking about cars!)

I actually don't hear "the HIV virus" much. I don't know about other variants but in BrE, it's usually just "HIV" - no article and no "virus".

He has HIV.
She is HIV positive.
They tested negative for HIV.

 

[SoothingDave]

The public transit system in our burgh is run by the Port Authority Transit, or PAT Transit.