nill : Idioms & Phrases


Will he, nill he

  • whether he wills it or not.
Webster 1913

Will I, nill I, ∨ Will ye, hill ye, ∨ Will he, nill he

  • whether I, you, or he will it or not; hence, without choice; compulsorily; sometimes corrupted into willy nilly. "If I must take service willy nilly." J. H. Newman. "Land for all who would till it, and reading and writing will ye, nill ye." Lowell.
Webster 1913