Skip to main content

Well yes, but actually no 

A phrase often used to point out instances of technicality, ambiguity, or hypocrisy.

1. A technicality. The meaning of the phrase in this context is "well yes, technically you are correct about superficial elements, but actually no, you are wrong about the substance in some way that invalidates the premise."

2. Ambiguity. The meaning of the phrase in this context is "well yes, some elements of this that have merit, but actually no, there are further details that must be considered."

3. Hypocrisy. The meaning of the phrase in this context is "well yes, I will say something to you to temporarily satisfy you, but actually no, my true actions will go against what I've said."
Site: Will you provide an example? We won't let you submit this without an example.

Me: Well yes, but actually no.
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.

Well yes, but actually no 

What you say when you know what is expected of you, but you dont care.

Origin:
In an animated short film called “So You Want to be a Pirate!”. There’s a part where a character says “good guess, but actually no”. Someone posted a screen cap of it on Reddit, but captioned as “Well yes, but actually no”
My friend: Don’t you feel bad about taking his stuff?
Me: Well yes, but actually no.

Me: So you’ll for sure be here to fix my internet tomorrow?
Comcast: Well yes, but actually no.

Me: (clicks not interested on the same YouTube video for the millionth time)
YouTube: Well yes, but actually no.
More from Urban Dictionary
EBK stands for "Elite Ball Knowledge." 1 In internet slang, "ball knowledge" originally referred to a deep understanding of football/soccer or basketball, but it has evolved into a broader term for having a highly sophisticated, deep, or niche understanding of any specific topic (such as music, movies, or subcultures).
Person A: "That scene was a direct homage to an unreleased 1982 Japanese indie film."
Person B: "Wow, EBK."
EBK by silwhett November 5, 2026
Word of the Day on November 6, 2026
A seemingly endless debate with a idiot
I don't know man im not ready for yap trap stupidity today which always tries to suck you into it
Yap Trap by WolfieSnack November 4, 2026
Word of the Day on November 5, 2026
Texas is categorized as a swing state in presidential elections, but has voted for Republicans more times than for Democrats in recent history. As such, as demographics change political alignments, some Democrats believe that Texas will vote blue, or Democratic, due to their Hispanic and African American voters, who often align themselves with the Democratic Party's liberal wing.

Blexas has been cited as possible in the upcoming decades, but only if Democrats continue to win the Hispanic vote in bigger margins.
Democrat 1: What is your prediction for the 2024 presidential election?
Democrat 2: Well uh, Blexas!
Democrat 1: You've been saying that since 2008 though.
Blexas by Tritonist June 14, 2021
Word of the Day on November 4, 2026

briefcake 

"Did you check out the briefcake in courtroom C?"
briefcake by Ben Frey April 6, 2006
Word of the Day on November 3, 2026
Brought to public attention by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the book on the fall of Richard Nixon, All The President’s Men, ratfucker was Nixon’s term for a political operative who sows chaos among opponents; an agent provocateur. It is thought to have originated among campus political rivalries at USC, and seems to have some usage in the US military.
Along with Nixon’s other ratfuckers, Roger Stone caused fights at otherwise peaceful Democratic Party protests to generate a false narrative that the Democrats were violent and dangerous.
Ratfucker by Ricky Ramjet November 2, 2017
Word of the Day on November 2, 2026
Load more