no returns

interjection

Used in children's games to forbid another player from responding in kind, doing the same thing that was just done to them.

“A pinch and a punch for the first of the month, and no returns!”

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Meanings

interjection
  1. Used in children's games to forbid another player from responding in kind, doing the same thing that was just done to them.

    A pinch and a punch for the first of the month, and no returns!

    1 more example

    They are developing patterns of language use and sharing an understanding of the rules of their game. Sebastian does not 'answer back' when Natasha says 'No returns'.

    2006, Annie Davy, New Playwork: Play and Care for Children 4-16
Cite this entry
APA

no returns. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/no%20returns

MLA

“no returns.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/no%20returns. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “no returns,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/no%20returns.

Source: no returns on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.