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hurt a fly. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
hurt a fly, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
hurt a fly in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Pronunciation
Verb
hurt a fly (third-person singular simple present hurts a fly, present participle hurting a fly, simple past and past participle hurt a fly)
- (idiomatic, chiefly in the negative, chiefly with a conditional) To hurt or damage something even a little.
1960, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter XI, in Jeeves in the Offing:Talking of being eaten by dogs, there's a dachshund at Brinkley who when you first meet him will give you the impression that he plans to convert you into a light snack between his regular meals. Pay no attention. It's all eyewash. […] He wouldn't hurt a fly, but he has to put up a front because his name's Poppet. One can readily appreciate that when a dog hears himself addressed day in and day out as Poppet, he feels he must throw his weight about. His self-respect demands it.
Usage notes
- Chiefly used in the negative, in a form such as "wouldn't hurt a fly" or "is incapable of hurting a fly", with the meaning "has a very gentle nature, is incapable of violence".
Synonyms
Translations
idiomatic: be of very gentle nature
Anagrams