[DaveESL]

Both of you raise good points. I bet there is something in Chinese that mirrors it, but (off the top of my head) I can't think of what it would be. And you're absolutely right that students don't like grey areas. Unfortunately, despite writing this on my lesson plan for today, I forgot to tell my class about my mistakenly absolute view on this phrase. Next week it is.

Thanks for all of the input!
Dave