[Idiom] NOT MY CIRCUS, NOT MY MONKEYS. - How to Identify Responsibilities That Are Not Yours

not your problem or responsibility

The idiom 'not my circus, not my monkeys' comes from a Polish proverb and is used to express that the problem at hand isn't one's own responsibility. Picture a circus filled with lively monkeys creating chaos, none of which belong to or are managed by you. This phrase can be effectively used in scenarios where someone might be drawn into problems or drama that does not involve them directly. It serves as a reminder that one should focus on what they can control and avoid getting entangled in issues that are outside their responsibility area. It's particularly useful in maintaining professional boundaries at work or personal boundaries in one's social life.

Example Sentences

1. That's not my circus, not my monkeys.

   That's not my problem to deal with.

2. When the argument started, he thought, ‘Not my circus, not my monkeys.’

   When the argument started, he decided it wasn't his problem to address.

3. She chose not to get involved in the office drama, saying, ‘Not my circus, not my monkeys.’

   She chose not to get involved in the office drama, considering it not her problem.