sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me
sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me
A common childhood chant meaning hurtful words cannot cause any physical pain and thus will be ignored or disregarded. I've never been affected by people's criticism—sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me. A: "There are some pretty unflattering rumors circulating about you now." B: "Oh, who cares? Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
See also: and, break, but, hurt, never, stick, stone, will, word
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- sticks and stones may break my bones (but words will never hurt me)
- sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me
- hard words break no bones
- shrift
- get short shrift
- childhood
- childhood friend
- get the go-by
- fall on stony ground
- stony