Blog

Language resources

Articles for business

Learn English online

Online English classes

About Preply

What is the meaning of don’t tempt me?

"Don't tempt me" means that someone is trying to resist doing something they find appealing or enjoyable, but they might give in if persuaded further. It is often used humorously or playfully when declining an offer or suggestion that feels enticing but is best avoided.
Preply Language Learning Team

How to use “don’t tempt me” in a sentence

Here are some examples of how “don’t tempt me” is commonly used:

  • “Come on, just one slice of cake!” — “Don’t tempt me, I’m on a diet!”
  • “We could skip work today and go to the beach.” — “Ugh, don’t tempt me!”
  • “You should buy that new phone. It looks amazing.” — “Don’t tempt me, I really shouldn’t spend the money.”

Similar phrases and synonyms for “don’t tempt me”

While there is no exact synonym, here are some phrases with a similar meaning:

  • “Don’t make me do it.” – A playful way to resist temptation.
  • “I shouldn’t, but I want to.” – Expresses reluctance while acknowledging the desire.
  • “You’re making it hard to say no.” – Highlights the difficulty of resisting.
  • “Stop tempting me.” – A more direct way to express resistance.

Practice exercise: Choosing the right phrase

1. “I really shouldn’t buy another pair of shoes, but… !”

2. “I know you love chocolate. Have some!” — “Ahh, , I’m trying to eat healthy!”

3. “Do you want to skip class today?” — “Hmm, !”

4. “We could order pizza instead of cooking.” — “Oh no, !”

5. “We should just book a last-minute trip!” — “Ahh, !”

6. “Go on, just one more drink!” — “No way, !”

Show answers
  • 1. Don’t tempt me (Correct) — The phrase is properly structured. The other options are incorrect because “I’m so tempted me” is grammatically wrong and “Tempting me don’t” is an unnatural word order.
  • 2. Don’t tempt me (Correct) — The correct phrase. “Tempt me not” is too archaic, and “Tempting me” is an incomplete sentence.
  • 3. You’re making it hard to say no (Correct) — This expresses difficulty in resisting. The other two choices contain incorrect word orders.
  • 4. I shouldn’t, but I want to (Correct) — This structure is natural. The other two options are incorrect because they have unnatural word order.
  • 5. Stop tempting me (Correct) — The correct phrase. The other two have incorrect sentence structures.
  • 6. Don’t tempt me (Correct) — The phrase is structured correctly. The incorrect options have an unnatural arrangement of words.

Where is “don’t tempt me” commonly used?

  • This phrase is widely used in English-speaking countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
  • It is informal and commonly used in casual conversations rather than formal settings.

Final thoughts

“Don’t tempt me” is a fun and common way to express resistance to an appealing offer or suggestion. If you want to improve your conversational skills and understand phrases like this in real-world contexts, learning with Preply English tutors is a great way to practice and gain confidence in English.

294 articles

The Preply Language Team is a group of experienced language tutors who bring together practical insights from real classrooms to support learners worldwide. Each piece of content we publish is crafted with the goal of helping you truly understand and use a language in real-life situations. Our team draws on years of experience teaching students of all levels - from complete beginners to heritage speakers reconnecting with their roots. What makes our content different is that it’s shaped by real conversations, common challenges students face, and tips that have worked again and again in live lessons. We believe language learning should be practical, cultural, and engaging - and that’s what we aim to deliver in every article, guide, and resource we create. Whether you’re learning a language for travel, family, or personal growth, we’re here to support your journey with insights that go beyond textbooks.

The Preply Language Team is a group of experienced language tutors who bring together practical insights from real classrooms to support learners worldwide. Each piece of content we publish is crafted with the goal of helping you truly understand and use a language in real-life situations. Our team draws on years of experience teaching students of all levels - from complete beginners to heritage speakers reconnecting with their roots. What makes our content different is that it’s shaped by real conversations, common challenges students face, and tips that have worked again and again in live lessons. We believe language learning should be practical, cultural, and engaging - and that’s what we aim to deliver in every article, guide, and resource we create. Whether you’re learning a language for travel, family, or personal growth, we’re here to support your journey with insights that go beyond textbooks.

Language learning

Language learning

Explore our language learning resources for an effective linguistic journey.

Select your classes

Select your classes

Find lessons that match your level and goals

Related articles

  • English language questions

What is an objective pronoun?

An objective pronoun is a type of pronoun that functions as the object of a verb or a preposition in a sentence. Common objective pronouns include me, you, him, her, it, us, and them, and they are used to receive the action rather than perform it.

  • English language questions

What is the meaning of stand by me?

"Stand by me" means to offer support, loyalty, or protection to someone, especially in difficult times. The phrase is often used to express unwavering commitment in friendships, relationships, or alliances.

  • English language questions

What questions do adverbs answer?

Adverbs answer questions such as "how?" (manner), "when?" (time), "where?" (place), "why?" (reason), and "to what extent?" (degree). These words modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to provide more detail about an action or description.

  • English language questions

What is the abbreviation for gold?

The abbreviation for gold is "Au," which comes from the Latin word "Aurum," meaning "shining dawn." This symbol is used in chemistry and the periodic table to represent the element gold, known for its high value and conductivity.