я не я

• Я НЕ Я coll

[usu. indep. clause; Invar; fixed WO]

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⇒ I do not know anything because I am not involved:

- it has nothing to do with me;

- search <beats> me;

- I haven't the foggiest.

     ♦ Я и виду не покажу, что знаю об этом деле. А если спросят, то скажу: "Я не я, в первый раз об этом слышу". I won't let on that I know anything about it. And if they ask me I'll say, "Search me, this is the first I've heard of it."

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← From the saying "Я не я, и лошадь не моя (, и я не извозчик)" - "I am not I, and the horse is not mine (and I am not a coachman)."