far be it from (one) to (do something)
far be it from (one) to (do something)
It is not one's place to do or say some particular thing. The phrase is often used as an introduction before saying or doing that very thing. Far be it from me to tell you how much to work on this report, but do you really think it's thorough enough? I think we need to believe what Shirley's saying—far be it from her to lie. If they want to give me a raise for doing the same amount of work, then hey, far be it from me to deprive them of the opportunity.
See also: far
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
far be it from me (to do something)
it is not really my place to do something. (Always followed by but, as in the example.) Far be it from me to tell you what to do, but I think you should buy the book.
See also: far
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
far be it from one to
One will not do or say something. This disclaimer may be true or false, depending on the speaker or the context. For example, Far be it from him to disagree may be used as a straightforward indication that he is unlikely to disagree, or it may be used ironically to indicate that he actually disagrees quite strongly. [Late 1300s] For a phrase used similarly, see god forbid.
See also: far, one
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
far be it from me
People say far be it from me to disagree, criticize, etc. to say that what they say is not intended to disagree, criticize, etc. even though it may sound as if it is. Far be it from me to criticize, but shouldn't their mother take a share of the blame? Far be it from me to interfere in anyone's private life.
See also: far
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
far be it from (or for) me to
used to express reluctance, especially to do something which you think may be resented.See also: far
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
far be it from me to do something, but...
(informal) used when you are just about to disagree with somebody or criticize them and you would like them to think that you do not really want to do this: Far be it from me to interfere, but don’t you think you’ve been arguing for long enough?See also: far
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
far be it from (someone)
Used to deflect responsibility for making a statement that might not be received well: Far be it from me to criticize, but I find your handwriting to be very sloppy.
See also: far
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
far be it for/from me to...
A disclaimer, often quite false. This expression, which basically means “I would not dream of doing/saying [something] when in truth I really would,” dates from the fourteenth century and has been a cliché for at least two hundred years. The earliest record is in John Wycliffe’s translation of Genesis (44:17): “Josephe answerede, Fer be it fro me, that Y thus do”; the King James Version has it “God forbid that I should do so.”
See also: far
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- far be it for/from me to...
- far be it from
- far be it from me
- far be it from me to
- far be it from me to do something, but...
- far be it from one to
- tell me about it
- if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it is a duck
- quack
- remain at (something or some place)