turn the other cheek

turn the other cheek

if you turn the other cheek when someone attacks or insults you, you do not get angry and attack or insult them but stay calm instead. Neither nation is renowned for turning the other cheek.

See also: cheek, other, turn

---

turn the other cheek

to decide not to do anything to hurt someone who has hurt you. When someone attacks you personally, the best approach may be to turn the other cheek.

Etymology: based on the Biblical instruction to turn the other cheek (= if someone hits you, a better response than hitting them is to turn your face so that they can hit you on the other side)

See also: cheek, other, turn