expression
no way, not at all, under no circumstances
A2
'Auf keinen Fall' is a fixed, strongly negative German expression meaning 'no way', 'not at all' or 'under no circumstances'. Used in spoken and written German to refuse or prohibit something emphatically. Not inflected; often placed at sentence start or end for emphasis. Equivalent to 'auf keinen Fall!'
Examples
Auf keinen Fall gebe ich meine Tickets her!
No way am I giving away my tickets!
Unter keinen Umständen sollten Sie das akzeptieren.
You should not accept that under any circumstances.
Das möchte ich nicht, auf keinen Fall.
I don't want that at all.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine pushing a big red 'STOP' sign away with the caption 'auf keinen Fall'
think 'off no fall' as a strong negative phrase
Notes
Strong negative phrase used to rule out actions or suggestions. Tone can be emphatic or abrupt depending on context.