Polite refusal

NOSIR

Think of a two-word phrase you might say to respectfully decline an offer, often used in military or formal settings.

"Polite refusal" hints at a courteous way to say no, and "NOSIR" fits perfectly as a formal, old-fashioned rejection. The wordplay is straightforward—it’s a direct phrase where "no" is the refusal and "sir" adds the politeness. You might hear this in movies or from someone emphasizing respect, like a butler or a military figure. The answer is written as one word to match crossword style, even though it’s often spoken as two.