PhrasesHub

Tell it to the marines

    Definitions

      • disbelief
        Express skepticism or doubt about something that has been said

      • ridicule
        Mock or make fun of someone's far-fetched story or unbelievable claim

    Examples of Tell it to the marines

    • I don't want to listen to your excuses anymore. Tell it to the marines!

      This is an informal way of telling someone that you are tired of hearing their excuses and that they should direct their complaints or justifications to someone else, perhaps because you don't think they deserve your attention or you don't believe what they're saying. The "marines" are often associated with being tough, disciplined and unresponsive, so the speaker implies that they're not the right audience to hear the other person's problems.

    • This proposal is never going to fly with our investors. Tell it to the marines.

      Here, "tell it to the marines" is being used to indicate that the proposal is impractical or unrealistic and that the speaker thinks it's highly unlikely that the investors will approve it. The phrase "fly with" means "gain acceptance from", so the speaker is essentially saying that the proposal won't be accepted by the investors.

    • I'm not the right person to talk to about this. Tell it to the marines.

      This usage of "tell it to the marines" is more general and can be applied to a variety of contexts. The speaker is saying that they're not the right person to discuss the matter with, perhaps because they don't have the expertise, resources or interest to address the issue effectively.

    • This problem is too big for us to solve. Tell it to the marines.

      In this example, "too big" means "unmanageable" or "insurmountable", and the speaker is indicating that they believe the problem is too complex, challenging or overwhelming to be resolved by themselves or their colleagues. By telling the person to direct their concern to the marines, the speaker is acknowledging that they don't have the resources or ability to address the issue, and are essentially washing their hands of the matter.

    • She rejected my proposal and said she wasn't interested in a serious relationship. When I told her I still wanted to be with her, she rolled her eyes and said, "Tell it to the marines."

      This idiom is used to indicate that someone's opinion is not important, and the speaker is not going to listen to it. In this example, the woman is essentially dismissing the speaker's feelings and implying that they are unrealistic or un achievable, much like a sailor's wish to join the elite marine corps.

    • Despite the evidence presented by the witnesses, the defendant claimed his innocence. The prosecutor scoffed, "Tell it to the marines."

      This idiom is used to indicate that someone's claim is unbelievable or implausible. In this example, the prosecutor is implying that the defendant's denial of guilt is not credible, much like a wish to join the challenging marine corps.

    • When my boss criticized my work, I tried to explain my thinking. But he cut me off and said, "Tell it to the marines."

      This idiom is used to indicate that someone's explanation is not convincing or acceptable. In this example, the boss is essentially dismissing the employee's perspective and implying that it is not worth considering, much like a wish to join the selective marine corps.

    • She firmly believed in her ideas and refused to compromise. When I suggested a different approach, she said, "Tell it to the marines."

      This idiom is used to indicate that someone's conviction is strong and unshakable. In this example, the woman is essentially dismissing the speaker's perspective and implying that her own beliefs are more valid, much like a wish to join the elite marine corps.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Tell it to the marines" is used to express disbelief or ridicule towards something that is difficult to believe or highly unlikely. It is often used to dismiss tall tales or exaggerated stories, and to express skepticism about the truth of a statement or claim.

    People use this idiom in casual conversations to show that they do not believe what someone is saying or to mock the person for making an unbelievable claim. It is often used in a lighthearted and humorous way to playfully challenge the truthfulness of a statement or to express amusement at someone's exaggeration.

    Origin of "Tell it to the marines"

    The origin of the idiom "Tell it to the marines" is believed to date back to the 19th century, when the Royal Marines were known for their gullibility and naivety. Sailors in the British Navy would often tell tall tales and exaggerated stories to the marines, knowing that they would believe almost anything they were told. Over time, the idiom became associated with the idea of telling an unbelievable story to someone who is gullible or easily fooled.

    One popular theory suggests that the idiom originated from the idea that sailors would mockingly tell outlandish stories to the marines, knowing that they would believe anything. As a result, the idiom "Tell it to the marines" came to be used as a way of expressing disbelief or ridicule towards incredible claims or stories. This idiom has since become a common expression in the English language, used to humorously dismiss unlikely or exaggerated statements.