denial is not a river in Egypt

English

Alternative forms

• 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

A pun on the Nile.

Pronunciation

• Audio (Southern England):

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Phrase

denial is not a river in Egypt

1. (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.”