Don't lecture me

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A firm, often annoyed way of telling someone to stop giving you advice or criticism about what you should do.

   Grammar: Used as a complete sentence on its own; the speaker is refusing the other person's advice or criticism.

   Patterns

   • Don't lecture me about something
   • Don't lecture me on something

   Don't lecture me about saving money — I know exactly how much I spend.

   When I said I was quitting my job, my brother started telling me it was a mistake. I told him, "Don't lecture me."

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformaldisapproving

   Used to reject a long, moralizing talk, suggesting the speaker already knows the right thing to do.

   Grammar: Often followed by about or on plus the topic the other person keeps bringing up.

   Patterns

   • Don't lecture me about something
   • Don't lecture me on something
   • Don't lecture me, please

   Don't lecture me on healthy eating; I've read more about it than you have.

   She began explaining why I should recycle more, and I said, "Don't lecture me — I've been doing it for years."

Common combinations

don't lecture me about

Don't lecture me about being late — you were the one who arrived last.

don't lecture me on

Don't lecture me on grammar when your own emails are full of mistakes.

stop lecturing me

Please stop lecturing me and just listen for a minute.

told him not to lecture me

I told him not to lecture me in front of my friends.

lecture someone about something

My aunt loves to lecture us about the dangers of coffee.

Synonyms and how they differ

don't tell me what to do

Similar in meaning but even more direct and personal; it rejects any instruction, not just a long talk.

stop preaching at me

Stronger and more critical; it suggests the other person is being self-righteous or moralizing.

don't patronize me

Focuses on being treated as if you are less clever or less experienced, rather than on receiving a talk.

Opposites

Word family

lecture verb

To give a long, serious talk telling someone how to behave.

lecture noun

A long serious talk that criticizes or advises someone.

lecturer noun

A person who teaches at a university or college.

lecturing noun

The act of giving someone a long talk about their behavior.

Commonly confused: Don't lecture me or Don't teach me? Don't lecture me or Don't tell me?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “Don't lecture me”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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