denial is not a river in Egypt
English
editAlternative forms
edit- denial ain't just a river in Egypt
- denial is not just a river in Egypt
- denial isn't just a river in Egypt
- denial isn't a river in Egypt
- denial ain't a river in Egypt (uncommon)
Etymology
editA pun on the Nile.
Phrase
editdenial is not a river in Egypt
- (humorous) Used to point out that somebody is in a state of psychological denial.
- 2004, Bill Manville, Cool, Hip & Sober: 88 Ways to Beat Booze and Drugs, Tom Doherty Associates, →ISBN:
- “Denial is not a river in Egypt,” began the first orientation lecture I ever attended in rehab, “but a lot of people build themselves palatial, twelve-room houseboats and live there for years, maybe the rest of their entire, unhappy lives.”