Cool MateOh don't give me that vs Seriously
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Oh don't give me that
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Seriously
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Most formal: SeriouslyMost common: Seriously
| Oh don't give me that | Seriously | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əʊ dəʊnt ˈɡɪv miː ðæt//🇺🇸 //oʊ doʊnt ɡɪv mi ðæt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪəriəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪriəsli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Don't say that to me; I don't believe you. | used to show that something is true or important |
| Example | Oh, don't give me that, I know you were lying. | I seriously need to improve my math skills before the exam. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | give me that excuse, give me that look, give me that story | seriously consider, seriously doubt, seriously think, seriously injure |
| Antonyms | - | playfully, jokingly |
| Common mistakes | Used in serious contexts when it sounds too casual., Confused with 'oh, don't start with that'., Overused in situations that may require a more polite expression. | Using 'serious' instead of 'seriously' in adverbial contexts., Confusing with 'sincerely' when trying to express genuine feelings. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversation to express disbelief or annoyance. Avoid in formal situations or when a serious tone is needed. | Usually used to emphasize seriousness in conversations. It can sound casual in informal settings but is appropriate in serious discussions. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Oh don't give me that vs Seriously
What's the difference between Oh don't give me that and Seriously?
Oh don't give me that: Don't say that to me; I don't believe you. Seriously: used to show that something is true or important
Which is more formal: Oh don't give me that and Seriously?
Seriously is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Oh don't give me that and Seriously?
Seriously is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Oh don't give me that: Oh, don't give me that, I know you were lying. Seriously: I seriously need to improve my math skills before the exam.
Can I use Oh don't give me that and Seriously interchangeably?
Not always. Oh don't give me that and Seriously are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.