Idioms

wouldn't hurt a fly

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not hurt a fly

To harm nothing or no one. Said of one who is particularly gentle, shy, diffident, or timid by nature. My brother is a very sweet, warm-hearted man who wouldn't hurt a fly. How can you suspect him of committing this crime?
See also: fly, hurt, not
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

wouldn't hurt a fly

or

wouldn't harm a fly

If someone wouldn't hurt a fly or wouldn't harm a fly, they are very kind and gentle. She was such a lovely girl, who wouldn't have hurt a fly. He is, he insists, a pacifist, who would not harm a fly.
See also: fly, hurt
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

wouldn't hurt (or harm) a fly

used to emphasize how inoffensive and harmless a person or animal is.
See also: fly, hurt
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

he, she, etc. wouldn’t harm/hurt a ˈfly

he, she, etc. is kind and gentle, and would not hurt anyone: The dog may look very fierce, but he wouldn’t hurt a fly.
See also: fly, harm, hurt
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive
Lynne Brown, 39, who had known Mr Hall for more than 30 years, said: "Jimmy was well liked in the community and the one thing people kept saying is that he wouldn't hurt a fly. He really was a gentle giant.
Elton pal dies
Sleeping Partner (Pan, pounds 5.99) is set around the murder trial of Clarrie Morland - a nice, quiet, middle-class girl who apparently wouldn't hurt a fly.
Books - GRIPPED BY TENSE COURTROOM TALE
"Oh, he wouldn't hurt a fly," is the usual refrain of owners of these animals.
Dogs and kids are deadly mix
DAVID Cameron praised the jailing of two men for four years for failed bids to incite rioting on Facebook - as relatives of one said: "He wouldn't hurt a fly."
CAMERON GRANDAD; AS PAIR GET 4 YEARS FOR FACEBOOK INCITEMENT.
One of them who lined up to touch the offending hand was Fr Sean Sheehy who said the pervert wouldn't hurt a fly.
A 'nice' abusive man
My cat wouldn't hurt a fly. We can't block the flap and lock him out all day."
FLAP OVER A CAT; BLACKLIST
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