not my circus saying

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformalhumorous

   A saying used to say that a messy problem or situation is not your responsibility.

   Grammar: Used as a complete comment, often on its own, or after the verb be: it's not my circus.

   Patterns

   • not my circus, not my monkeys
   • it's not my circus

   When they started arguing about the schedule again, I just thought: not my circus, not my monkeys.

   She smiled and said, 'Not my circus,' then went back to her own work.

   The whole department was in chaos, but that was not my circus.

2. 2phraseidiominformalhumorous

   Used to show you are deliberately staying out of other people's disputes or drama.

   Grammar: Often said with a shrug or a light tone; it can seem uncaring if used about a serious problem.

   Patterns

   • not my circus, not my monkeys
   • decide something is not my circus

   I decided the family quarrel was not my circus and stayed quiet.

   He repeated 'not my monkeys' whenever his colleagues complained about the manager.

Common combinations

not my circus, not my monkeys

Not my circus, not my monkeys, she thought as the meeting turned into a shouting match.

it's not my circus

It's not my circus, so I'm not getting involved.

say 'not my circus'

He said 'not my circus' and left the room.

not my monkeys

The project is failing, but those are not my monkeys.

Synonyms and how they differ

not my problem

Blunter and less playful; it can sound rude, while the circus saying softens the message with humor.

not my department

Used in workplaces to say a task belongs to another team; it is about duties, not drama.

none of my business

Means the matter is private and not yours to interfere in, rather than not your responsibility.

Commonly confused: not my circus saying or monkey business?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “not my circus saying”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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