[Idiom] Where to get off

Hi,
Suppose I want to tell someone that he/she is asking me for too much (e.g. money). Can I say to him/her "where to get off"? What would a native speaker say in this case?
Note: He/She is trying to borrow money heavily from me.
Excuse me for missing context.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Alikhalili:


In my opinion, it would not be a good idea to tell someone: "Where do you get off asking me that question?"

It is very rude.

It means something like: How dare you ask me that question! Who do you think you are?


James

For me, that depends a great deal on what he/she is asking for too much of and how it is being asked. Do you have any specific examples?

MikeNewYork said:

For me, that depends a great deal on what he/she is asking for too much of and how it is being asked. Do you have any specific examples?

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Yes. For example, he wanted $5000, but I told him where to get off.

It works when you are reporting the conversation later - "I told him where to get off" but we don't actually say to someone anything like "I'm telling you where to get off".

emsr2d2 said:

It works when you are reporting the conversation later - "I told him where to get off" but we don't actually say to someone anything like "I'm telling you where to get off".

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Well. But, what can I say in this case?

If the person was a very close friend, you could say, "I'm sorry, I don't have that kind of money."
If the person was a casual friend, you could say, "I'm sorry, I don't lend money to anyone."
If the person was close to being a stranger, I might say "Do I look like an ATM machine to you?" (Yes, that one is rude, but sometimes rude works.)

MikeNewYork said:

If the person was close to being a stranger, I might say "Do I look like an ATM machine to you?"

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I love that one.:lol:

I don't really understand the context the OP gave.
Is he trying to borrow that much money or is he trying to negotiate a price?

That is a good question. I read it as a request for a loan, but it could be a price for a product or service.

alikhalili71 said:

You're wrong. I'm talking about money or something like that.

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What a nice way to respond so someone tyring to help you.
Where do you get off treating people like that?

As can see, that *is* how it's used. Where do you get off asking me for that kind of money! -- This would be the response you might be looking for, realizing it's (as The Parser says) quite rude.

MikeNewYork said:

"Do I look like an ATM machine to you?"

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It might be of interest to learners to know that "ATM machine" is a perfect example of tautology which is used unwittingly by probably millions of people every day.

ATM = Automated Teller Machine

... so "ATM machine" means "Automated Teller Machine machine".

Another example is "PIN number" when referring to using a debit or credit card. PIN = Personal Identification Number. You don't need to say "number" again after it.

(Sorry to go off-topic.)

Good point! Sometimes what is used is not logical,

I am not a teacher.

Since we are off topic, how about VIN number? Vehicle Identification Number number.

Or the infamous HIV virus?

"VIN number" I've heard fairly frequently (I don't spend much time talking about cars!)

I actually don't hear "the HIV virus" much. I don't know about other variants but in BrE, it's usually just "HIV" - no article and no "virus".

He has HIV.
She is HIV positive.
They tested negative for HIV.

The public transit system in our burgh is run by the Port Authority Transit, or PAT Transit.