can't

Contraction of cannot.

Idioms beginning with can't:
can't but
can't do anything with
can't fight City Hall
can't help
can't hit the broad side of a barn
can't punch one's way out of a paper bag
can't seem to
can't wait

See also beggars can't be choosers; if you can't beat them, join them; you can't take it with you; you can't win them all. Also see under can.

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IN BRIEF: A contraction formed by combining the words can and not; to be unable.

If you can't measure it, you can't manage it. — George Odiorne.

Tutor's tip: I can't (cannot) believe the political cant (hypocritical speech) has gone this far.

Common misspelling(s) of can't

• cant