on no account

English

Prepositional phrase

on no account

1. Under no circumstances.
   • 1844, Francis Bacon, James Glassford, Novum Organum Scientiarum‎^[1], Edinburgh Print Company, pages 50-51:

     But, however, concerning philosophies of this kind, a caution was on no account to be overlooked ; because already we foresee it in mind, and augur, that if at any time, stirred by our admonitions, men (taking leave of the sophistical learning) shall, in earnest, shape themselves to experiment, then will it certainly happen, on account of the premature and overhasty speed of the mind, and its spring and flight to generalities and the principles of things, that there will be an imminent danger from such philosophies; and this evil it is fit even now to meet.

   • 1960, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, “VIII AND XII”, in Jeeves in the Offing, London: Herbert Jenkins, →OCLC:

     “Why didn't the idiot tell her not to open it?” “It was his first move. ‘I've found a letter from you here, precious,’ she said. ‘On no account open it, angel,’ he said. So of course she opened it.”

   • 1977, Alistair Horne, A Savage War of Peace, New York: Review Books, published 2006, page 217:

     he received a telegram from the prime minister ordering that on no account were Yacef and Zohra Drif to be maltreated in any way.

Translations

under no circumstances — see under no circumstances