can you not

phrase

Used to politely or indirectly ask someone to stop doing something, conveying a hint of frustration or annoyance depending on the context.

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Meanings

phrasecan you not?
  1. informalslangUsed to politely or indirectly ask someone to stop doing something, conveying a hint of frustration or annoyance depending on the context.
Cite this entry
APA

can you not. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can%20you%20not

MLA

“can you not.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can%20you%20not. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “can you not,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can%20you%20not.

Source: can you not on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.