Thanks, but no thanks

It means an offer is appreciated but declined.

The word ‘thanks’ appreciates an offer and at the same time the phrase ‘no thanks’ declines the offer.

Let us imagine a situation like this.

·        John offers sweets to Mary.

·        Mary appreciates the offer but doesn’t want to accept the sweets.

·        She wants to convey rejection.

In this case, she will express the denial as, “Thanks, but no thanks.”