won't bite

(one) won't bite (someone)

Someone has no reason to be afraid of one; someone should not be shy about approaching or talking to one. Don't worry, child, I won't bite. I just wanted to give you a message to pass along to your father. This is your Uncle Jack, son. Well, go on and shake his hand, he won't bite you.
See also: bite

won't bite

Is not threatening or does not need to be a subject of caution; is friendly. The phrase is typically used as an assurance to a child who is wary of something or someone. You can ask Mr. Caruthers. Go on, he won't bite. Hi there, what's your name? Don't worry, I won't bite!
See also: bite
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • (one) won't bite (someone)
  • (one) won't eat (someone)
  • (one) is not going to bite (someone)
  • (one) is not going to eat (someone)
  • accompany (one) on a/(one's) journey
  • accompany on a journey
  • (one's) heart goes out to (someone)
  • a stranger to (someone or something)
  • be out of (one's) league
  • be out of somebody's league
References in classic literature
She won't bite?" he added, stepping cautiously with his bare feet.
Anna Karenina
"I hope the animals won't bite, Master Colin," said the nurse.
Secret Garden
There's even one called the hornet hoverfly but it's a sheep in wolf 's clothing and won't bite!
Hover's no bother; It masquerades as a wasp, but the hoverfly is a pollinator whose larvae gobble aphids
Public trauma won't bite the queen but guess who'll milk it in the long run?
Pakistan faces hard choices to get the economy running
But there are a lot of hotels that just won't bite."
Several events reject OKC due to hotel rates
He joked: "But I know I'm safe when I'm doing my takeaway deliveries because the dogs won't bite someone who's bringing in food."
Curry on driving; DELIVERY DRIVER, 82, WINS GONG; EXCLUSIVE
He joked: "But I know I'm safe when I'm doing my takeaway deliveries A-because the dogs won't bite someone who's bringing in food."
Great-grandad, 82, voted the best take-away delivery driver in Britain; EXCLUSIVE: Great-grandad Brian, an RAF veteran and former cabbie, has won a major gong for his punctuality, reliability and cheerful attitude
Our next best Dog-Day solution is a do-nothing tactic for deeper bass showing up on camera or sonar that won't bite. Put the boat on Spot-Lock.
TACKLING Fed-Up SMALLMOUTHS
She now started keeping the spiders she finds in a jar so they won't bite anybody else in the family.
Spider Bite Causes Leg Amputation For Woman
Try and nibble around the plate, and the disciplined veteran won't bite, using a great eye for the strike zone to coax plenty of walks.
Pitching to Montini slugger Cuchran wasn't worth risk
'At least I know the cats won't bite me back,' he said.
Controversial vigilante quits Muslim consumer group over fund swiping claims
"They simply won't bite when there's a big groundswell.
Sea Bass Run: Drift for black sea bass, a cool-weather treat
But don't worry if you are a little on the timid side, they won't bite.
Monsters are about to invade museum
He won't bite but he will stray or end up in kennels, ie jail.
Turning the rage; The LaFontaines are back with a brilliant new album and book and this time it's personal.. rapper and lyricist Kerr Okan explains why there's a lot to be angry about
"Can you tell me which of these rattlers won't bite you?" a November post on his Facebook page asked - juxtaposing photos of twisting mass of snakes with an apparent crowd of refugees.
Ignoring Anti-Refugee Rhetoric, Texans Rush to Help in Resettlement