cast the first stone en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From the Bible John 8:7, where Jesus tells the accusers of a woman of adultery that "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her". All accusers did not do so, and Jesus forgave the woman's sin.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To act self-righteously in accusing another person, believing oneself to be blameless.
2007, March 10, Mr Gingrich, on the impeachment proceedings in 1999. Reported in The Guardian I knew I couldn't cast the first stone as I knew I had weaknesses. ... (But) as a leader of the government trying to uphold the rule of law I have no choice but to move forward and say you cannot accept perjury in your highest officials.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| casting the first stone | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| casts the first stone | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| cast the first stone | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| cast the first stone | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Relateds
people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones
Translations (11)
nl werpe de eerste steen (act self-righteously) · fi heittää ensimmäinen kivi (act self-righteously) · ro arunca prima piatră (act self-righteously) · hu elsőként/először vet rá követ (act self-righteously) · fr jeter la pierre (act self-righteously) · pt atirar a primeira pedra (act self-righteously) · sv kasta första stenen (act self-righteously) · es tirar la primera piedra (act self-righteously) · gl tirar a primeira pedra (act self-righteously) · de den ersten Stein werfen (act self-righteously) · da kaste den første sten (act self-righteously)