the lady doth protest too much

the lady doth protest too much

Used to indicate that someone (not necessarily a woman) is only denying something so fervently because the opposite is actually true. Adapted from the line "the lady doth protest too much, methinks" in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act III, Scene ii. A: "No, I already told you, I do not like Tom in that way! We have nothing in common! There's no way we would be romantically suited to one another!" B: "Hmm, the lady doth protest too much, it seems." A: "Shut up, I do not like Dungeons and Dragons! I'm no nerd!" B: "Haha, chill out, dude. It's not that big a deal." C: "Seriously, the lady doth protest too much!"
See also: doth, lady, much, protest
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • dost
  • doth
  • methinks
  • methinks the lady doth protest too much
  • methinks thou dost protest too much
  • protest
  • thou dost protest too much, methinks
  • the lady doth protest too much, methinks
  • pull around to
  • pull around to (something or some place)