doubting Thomas

doubting Thomas

Meaning:
– habitually doubtful person
– a person who refuses to believe anything until they are given proof

Examples:
1. He's such a doubting Thomas that he won't believe unless he sees things through his eyes.
2. He's a real doubting Thomas – he simply wouldn't believe I'd won the car until he saw it with his own eyes.
3. She kept trying, hoping to prove all those doubting Thomases wrong.

Usage notes:
In the Bible, Thomas would not believe that Jesus had come back from the dead until he saw him.

Origin:
St. Thomas, apostle who doubted Jesus' resurrection until he had proof of it (John 20:24–29)
First Known Use: 1883