butter wouldn't melt

butter wouldn't melt (in one's mouth)

Said of one who appears innocent or reserved in certain company, when in fact one may have the opposite demeanor. Sure, he looks as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth when he's around people he doesn't know, but stay a while and you'll see what he's really like. Samantha always affects this demure, butter-wouldn't-melt expression on her face whenever she wants something from you.
See also: butter, melt
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

butter wouldn't melt (in someone's mouth)

Prov. Someone is acting as if innocent. By the time her parents came home, Emily had cleaned up all evidence of having broken the valuable figurine, and she looked as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Jane: How can you suspect George of playing that practical joke on you? He looks so innocent. Jill: Yes, butter wouldn't melt, I'm sure.
See also: butter, melt
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

ˌbutter wouldn’t ˈmelt (in somebody’s ˈmouth)

(spoken) a person looks very innocent, but probably is not: She looks as if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but don’t be fooled by first impressions!
See also: butter, melt
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

butter wouldn't melt (in his/her mouth), looks as if

Suspiciously coy or demure, too good to be true. This expression dates from the early sixteenth century and was already a proverb in John Heywood’s 1546 collection. It recurs again and again (Swift, Dickens, Thackeray, Shaw) and has been a cliché for at least a century.
See also: butter, if, look, melt
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • give (one) (one's) head
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
  • give someone their head
  • cooking for one
  • 1FTR
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens
References in classic literature
"There's old Stephen Grant coming in," exclaimed Peg viciously, shaking her floury fist at him, "and looking as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.
The Golden Road
'Jock' Horner they call him, so quiet-like an' easy-goin', soft-spoken as a girl, till ye'd think butter wouldn't melt in the mouth iv him.
The Sea Wolf
These mean, soft chaps, that you would think butter wouldn't melt in their mouths, were the ones to make a wom- an thoroughly miserable.
To morrow
Andrew Brown Stoke There are two sides to every argument THE letter from Bill Haymes is interesting (Telegraph, August 23rd.) I applaud his admiration of Jeremy Corbyn - 'butter wouldn't melt in his mouth' - and all that.
No need for us to mimic the States; LETTERS Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@coventrytelegraph.net Twitter: @coventrytelegraph Facebook: facebook.com/coventrytelegraph Post: Coventry Telegraph, Leicester Row, Canal Basin, Coventry, CV1 4LY
While you'll still roar into battle, you'll do so looking as if butter wouldn't melt.
Stars; WEEKLY PREDICTIONS
"Here when butter wouldn't melt! Not sure thats the case now!"
Lottie Moss embraces her dark side with deathly costume at Halloween bash; The model, 20, basques in the glory of dressing as 101 Dalmatians' villain Cruella de Vil
Then he throws in a quick butter wouldn't melt expression and all is forgiven, obv.
CAT OF THE WEEK
I was on an early morning flight a few months back when a woman who looked as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth suddenly declared to all and sundry it was party time - at seven in the morning.
LOST TRIBES The People's Memories
I have a gentle male friend who looks like butter wouldn't melt in his handsome mouth.
First things first... You can't truly know someone until you know how they got their scars
Holly Comber-Moccia provides the perfect foil as Christine Colgate, the butter wouldn't melt in the mouth 'little innocent' American heiress, who becomes the target for the conniving duo.
Scintillating Scoundrels
Taylor Swift The singer looks like butter wouldn't melt in this angelic frock, as she pairs a lace dress with her signature red lippy and nude accessories.
GROOMED & DOOMED; Who wears this week's trend well?
She may be adorable and look like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but greyhound Jasmine sparked a full-blown gas scare at a housing estate.
HOT DOG! Naughty puppy Jasmine sparks gas scare after turning on hob
Truth is, Andy boy lost the plot for a while and you didn't have to be a lip reader to know it when he was caught on camera asking himself: "What the f*** are you doing?" Andrew Castle - like the politically correct, butter wouldn't melt in his mouth wimp that he is - said: "I know he's upset but I must apologise for the language."
Sir Alex & dryer were on standby; TVWATCH
FRIDAY Don't let the butter wouldn't melt look fool you, Simon Amstell combines vulnerability with razor sharp wit and a talent for provocation.
The week ahead; What's happening near you during the next seven days
Another parent added: "She was so prim and proper, the sort where butter wouldn't melt, she came to visit me at home when I first enrolled my child for school." Ms Regan was at home when the Mail con l -tacted her but a friend said she was "too distressed' to speak.
Parents 'disgusted' as teacher avoids jail term