"On the contrary …"

BUTNO

Think of a two-word phrase that flips a statement completely around.

The clue "On the contrary ..." hints at a phrase meaning "however" or "in opposition." Here, "but" fits that meaning, while "no" is added as a playful twist—it sounds like the Spanish word for "but" ("pero"), but the solver is told "no" to that idea. The answer combines them directly as "BUTNO," a lighthearted way to say "not that, but this instead." It’s a simple pun relying on wordplay and misdirection.