Other Ways to Say “Not My Problem” (With Examples) help you set boundaries without sounding rude, dismissive, or unprofessional. Sometimes, you need to step back from an issue that isn’t yours to fix—but saying it the wrong way can damage relationships.
That’s why learning polite, respectful, and confident alternatives matters. In this guide, you’ll discover clear yet tactful phrases that express detachment, responsibility limits, or neutrality, all with real-life examples to help you use them naturally in conversations at work, with friends, or in everyday situations.
Another or Professional Way to Says “I’m Sorry You Feel That Way”
- Not my concern
- Not my responsibility
- That’s on you
- I can’t help with that
- Not in my wheelhouse
- Outside my remit
- That’s above my pay grade
- I wash my hands of this
- Take it up with someone else
- I’m not involved in this
- Not my circus, not my monkeys
- That’s someone else’s job
- I have no stake in that
- It’s not up to me
- That’s beyond my scope
- I won’t take that on
- I decline to get involved
- That’s their call to make
- I’m not the right person for this
- That’s out of my hands
- I don’t have authority here
- That’s your responsibility to handle
- I’m passing this on to the proper person
- I’ll leave that to the experts
- I don’t have a role in that
- I can’t be of assistance with that
- That doesn’t fall under my duties
- I choose to sit this one out
- I’m staying out of this one
- Please direct this elsewhere
1. Not my concern
When Jenna got an urgent message about a schedule change for a club she stopped attending months ago, she read it, sighed, and replied, “Not my concern.” She meant she no longer tracked that group and didn’t want to reignite old obligations. Saying “not my concern” closes the door politely but firmly — it signals emotional or practical detachment without attacking anyone. Use it when you want to make clear you don’t intend to invest time or worry in a matter that doesn’t affect you. It’s short, neutral, and useful when boundaries are needed.
Example: “Thanks for the update, but that’s not my concern anymore.”
Best use: Casual to semi-formal contexts when you want to detach calmly.
2. Not my responsibility
After the team switched project owners, Marcus found an email asking him to test a module he no longer owned. He replied, “Not my responsibility.” This phrase shifts from emotional distance to role clarity: you’re saying the task belongs to someone else, not that you don’t care. It works well in workplaces where duties are assigned. Use it when you need to reassign accountability, when job descriptions change, or when someone mistakenly tasks you with work outside your role.
Example: “I’m sorry, that’s not my responsibility — please check with the project lead.”
Best use: Professional settings to re-establish accountable ownership.
3. That’s on you
When Sam warned his friend about a risky shortcut and the friend took it anyway, Sam shrugged and said, “That’s on you.” It carries a blame-light, cause-and-effect tone: you were informed, you chose, and now you accept the outcome. It’s direct and slightly informal. Use it when someone makes a deliberate choice against advice or when you’ve fulfilled your duty to warn and they chose otherwise.
Example: “I gave my input. The decision’s made — that’s on you.”
Best use: Informal settings when choices lead to predictable consequences.
4. I can’t help with that
When a neighbor asked Lia to fix a leak while she was out of town, Lia replied, “I can’t help with that.” This phrase is empathetic and clear: you’re not refusing responsibility in a cold way; you simply lack ability or capacity in that moment. It softens refusal by emphasizing limitation rather than indifference. Use it when you want to decline politely because of constraints like time, expertise, or location.
Example: “I’m sorry— I can’t help with that right now.”
Best use: Polite refusals where you want to keep the relationship intact.
5. Not in my wheelhouse
Carlos was asked to design the website layout, but his strength is content, not UX design. He said, “That’s not in my wheelhouse.” This idiom signals limited skills rather than unwillingness. It’s casual but professional, and it invites redirection to someone better suited. Use it when the task requires specialized knowledge you don’t possess.
Example: “Website layout isn’t in my wheelhouse; I can help with copy.”
Best use: Workplace or team chats to clarify expertise and redirect.
6. Outside my remit
When the committee asked Nora to decide on budget reallocations, she noted budget decisions were “outside my remit.” This phrase is formal and organizational: it points to defined roles and limits given by systems or rules. It’s excellent in bureaucratic or formal contexts where scope is strictly divided.
Example: “Budget approval is outside my remit—please consult finance.”
Best use: Formal, institutional contexts where authority boundaries matter.
7. That’s above my pay grade
When volunteers asked Ben to authorize vendor contracts, he laughed and said, “That’s above my pay grade.” The line is light and self-aware. It signals that the decision requires higher authority without sounding defensive. Use it when you want to point upward — to a manager, director, or board — while keeping tone informal.
Example: “Sorry — that’s above my pay grade; the manager handles it.”
Best use: Workplace banter or semi-formal settings when higher approval is needed.
8. I wash my hands of this
After repeated failed attempts to fix a broken process, Priya announced, “I wash my hands of this.” This phrase is dramatic and signals final closure. It implies you’ve tried and won’t be dragged back in. Use it sparingly — it can sound theatrical or severe — but it’s effective when you need a clear final cutoff.
Example: “I’ve done my part; I wash my hands of this matter.”
Best use: When you want to signal definitive disengagement after effort.
9. Take it up with someone else
A customer asked Dexter about a refund, but the finance team handles refunds. He replied, “Take it up with someone else.” This phrase points the asker to the correct channel. It’s neutral, sometimes curt, so add a pointer if possible (name, department). Use it to redirect efficiently without getting bogged down.
Example: “Please take it up with our billing team at billing@example.com.”
Best use: Customer service or routing situations — always add a contact if you can.
10. I’m not involved in this
When Emma received a thread about internal hiring decisions, she cut in, “I’m not involved in this.” This line clarifies non-participation and can protect confidentiality. It’s useful if you are mistakenly looped in or if the topic falls outside your remit.
Example: “I’m not involved in hiring for that role; HR is handling it.”
Best use: When you need to confirm non-involvement or preserve neutrality.
11. Not my circus, not my monkeys
When colleagues argued over a side project they’d taken on, Harry smiled and said, “Not my circus, not my monkeys.” This playful proverb sets boundaries with humor. It makes detachment light-hearted while still firm. Use it when relationships allow for informal expressions and you want to soften the refusal.
Example: “That dispute? Not my circus, not my monkeys.”
Best use: Friendly teams or casual settings where humor is welcome.
12. That’s someone else’s job
Leah was asked to update the compliance log, but another team owns it. She responded, “That’s someone else’s job.” This phrasing speaks to task ownership. It’s simple and direct — less formal than “not my responsibility,” but clear. Use it when you want to redirect work to its rightful owner.
Example: “Updating the compliance log is someone else’s job — I’ll notify them.”
Best use: Direct workplace contexts to clarify task ownership.
13. I have no stake in that
When a debate on feature prioritization turned heated, Noor shrugged and said, “I have no stake in that.” This phrase signals neutrality: you’re unaffected and therefore not invested. It’s excellent in group decisions when you genuinely have no interest or exposure to the outcome.
Example: “I have no stake in which tool you pick — choose what works best.”
Best use: Meetings or debates where neutrality is real and helpful.
14. It’s not up to me
After being asked to change company policy, Omar responded, “It’s not up to me.” This statement communicates that the decision rests with someone else or a process. It’s a softer way of redirecting, leaving space for escalation rather than shutting down conversation.
Example: “I can’t change policy — it’s not up to me.”
Best use: When policy or authority makes you unable to act.
15. That’s beyond my scope
When asked to provide legal advice, Fatima said, “That’s beyond my scope.” This phrase is professional and precise: it explains that the task falls outside your role or expertise. It’s useful when ethics or professional lines are involved.
Example: “Legal advice is beyond my scope — consult our counsel.”
Best use: Professional settings where scope and ethics matter.
Also Read This: 30 Other Ways to Say “I’m Sorry You Feel That Way” (With Examples)
16. I won’t take that on
When a new committee asked Raj to organize events on top of his full schedule, he said, “I won’t take that on.” This is a firm, personal boundary. It declares choice rather than inability. Use it when you actively refuse to accept added responsibility.
Example: “I appreciate the offer, but I won’t take that on right now.”
Best use: Personal or professional boundary-setting where you must decline.
17. I decline to get involved
During an office feud, Maya said, “I decline to get involved.” This phrase is formal and principled; it’s useful when involvement could compromise you or when impartiality matters. It signals conscious refusal without judgment.
Example: “I decline to get involved in internal disputes.”
Best use: When neutrality or ethics require non-involvement.
18. That’s their call to make
The team asked Tyler whether to proceed with a risky pilot. He answered, “That’s their call to make.” This phrase defers decision-making to the appropriate owner. It’s respectful and acknowledges the other party’s authority.
Example: “The budget decision is theirs — that’s their call to make.”
Best use: When deferring to designated decision-makers.
19. I’m not the right person for this
When asked to fix server architecture, Nina said, “I’m not the right person for this.” This is polite and constructive: it suggests a mismatch between task and skills. Use it to redirect to someone better qualified.
Example: “I’m not the right person for this — let me connect you with DevOps.”
Best use: When skill mismatch exists and a referral is possible.
20. That’s out of my hands
When a shipping delay came up due to customs, Alex said, “That’s out of my hands.” This expresses genuine lack of control. It’s useful when external forces determine outcomes and you want to avoid unwarranted blame.
Example: “Customs caused the delay — it’s out of my hands.”
Best use: Situations affected by external parties or uncontrollable factors.
21. I don’t have authority here
Sofia was asked to waive late fees but answered, “I don’t have authority here.” This phrase is clear and procedural: it emphasizes limits of power and invites escalation to someone who can help.
Example: “I can’t waive fees — I don’t have authority here.”
Best use: Customer service and procedural contexts requiring approval.
22. That’s your responsibility to handle
When a group project member left work incomplete, Jordan said, “That’s your responsibility to handle.” This phrase is direct and can be firm; it’s excellent for accountability. Use it when the task belongs to someone who must own the consequences.
Example: “If you promised the client, that’s your responsibility to handle.”
Best use: Holding colleagues accountable in collaborative work.
23. I’m passing this on to the proper person
When an email requested a technical fix, Pri replied, “I’m passing this on to the proper person.” This helpful redirection shows you’re not ignoring the issue — you’re routing it correctly. It’s collaborative and constructive.
Example: “I’ll pass this to IT — they’ll take it from here.”
Best use: Customer-facing roles where routing matters.
24. I’ll leave that to the experts
During a legal question, Jeff said, “I’ll leave that to the experts.” This expresses both humility and practicality. It’s a respectful way to admit lack of expertise and recommend professional help.
Example: “Tax questions? I’ll leave that to the experts—ask our accountant.”
Best use: When specialist knowledge is required and you want to refer.
25. I don’t have a role in that
When asked to sign off on a creative brief, Alya replied, “I don’t have a role in that.” This clarifies involvement rather than blaming. It’s useful for organizational clarity and for maintaining accurate responsibility records.
Example: “I don’t have a role in approvals — that’s Creative Director’s job.”
Best use: Organizational contexts where role clarity prevents confusion.
26. I can’t be of assistance with that
When a friend requested financial advice and you’re not comfortable giving it, say, “I can’t be of assistance with that.” The tone is polite and cautious; it stresses limitation without judgment and keeps relationships intact.
Example: “I’m sorry, I can’t be of assistance with investment advice.”
Best use: Personal contexts where boundaries and caution matter.
27. That doesn’t fall under my duties
When Laura was told to prepare the legal contract even though HR handles it, she said, “That doesn’t fall under my duties.” This phrasing is formal and role-based — perfect for HR, legal, and compliance situations to avoid scope creep.
Example: “Contract drafting doesn’t fall under my duties—please contact Legal.”
Best use: Formal workplaces to discourage scope creep.
28. I choose to sit this one out
When a heated online debate started, Evan said, “I choose to sit this one out.” This emphasizes personal choice and agency: you’re opting out rather than being excluded. It’s calm, intentional, and respectful of your boundaries.
Example: “I’m choosing to sit this one out — I won’t comment further.”
Best use: Social or emotional situations where you want to stay neutral.
29. I’m staying out of this one
After listening to a family squabble, Rosa announced, “I’m staying out of this one.” This is plainspoken and supportive of neutrality. It’s great when family, friends, or coworkers need to resolve issues privately.
Example: “I’m staying out of this one — please resolve between yourselves.”
Best use: Personal conflicts where impartiality is best.
30. Please direct this elsewhere
When Felix received a wrongly addressed legal inquiry, he replied, “Please direct this elsewhere.” This is polite and actionable. It’s good when you want to refuse and help the requester find the correct path.
Example: “Please direct this to Legal@company.com — they can help.”
Best use: Professional redirection with a helpful nudge.
Conclusion :
Choosing the right way to say “not my problem” depends on tone, context, and relationship. You can be firm, polite, humorous, or procedural — and still be professional. The 30 alternatives above give you flexible language for work, friendships, families, and public-facing situations. Use softer lines when you want to preserve relationships, and firmer ones when you must protect time, responsibility, or ethics. Remember: setting boundaries is healthy. Saying “not my problem” in smarter ways keeps you respectful, clear, and effective.
FAQs :
Q1: When should I avoid using blunt alternatives like “that’s on you”?
A1: Avoid blunt phrases in sensitive situations where the person may need support. Use softer alternatives such as “I can’t help with that right now” or “I’ll leave that to the experts” when empathy or ongoing relationships matter.
Q2: Which alternatives are best for workplace communication?
A2: Use professional options like “Not my responsibility,” “Outside my remit,” “That’s above my pay grade,” or “I don’t have authority here.” These help maintain clarity and respect organizational structure.
Q3: How do I decline without sounding rude?
A3: Frame refusal with constraints or referrals: “I can’t help with that right now, but I can connect you with…” or “That’s beyond my scope; please consult…” This keeps tone constructive.
Q4: Are humorous phrases like “not my circus, not my monkeys” appropriate?
A4: Only when you know the audience well and informal tone fits. In formal or emotionally charged situations, humor can come across as dismissive.
Q5: How can I set boundaries while maintaining relationships?
A5: Be honest, brief, and offer alternatives when possible. For example: “I won’t take that on, but I can suggest someone who can.” That shows respect and helpfulness without overcommitting.
