wouldn't

butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth

if butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth, they look as if they would never do anything wrong although you think they would. She looks as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but I've seen her fighting with the younger kids.

See also: butter, melt, mouth

I wouldn't put it past someone

something that you say when you think that it is possible that someone might do something wrong or unpleasant. 'Do you really think he'd go off with another woman?' 'I wouldn't put it past him.' I wouldn't put it past Lorna to deny all knowledge of this plan. (often + to do something)

See also: past

I wouldn't touch someone/something with a barge pole. (British & Australian, informal, American & Australian, informal)

something that you say which means that you think someone or something is so bad that you do not want to be involved with them in any way. If I were you, I wouldn't touch that property with a barge pole.

See also: barge, pole, touch

I wouldn't trust someone as far as I could throw them. (informal)

something that you say which means that you do not trust someone at all. I'll admit John is very charming, but I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him.

See also: could, far, throw, trust

I/You wouldn't wish something on my/your worst enemy.

something that you say in order to emphasize that something is extremely unpleasant. The effects of this disease are horrible. You wouldn't wish them on your worst enemy.

See also: enemy, wish, worst

wouldn't be caught/seen dead (informal)

if someone wouldn't be seen dead in a particular place or doing a particular thing, they would never do it, usually because it would be too embarrassing. John's dad won't go to the christening, he wouldn't be seen dead in a church. (often + adv/prep) Chris wouldn't be seen dead driving a Lada. (often + doing something)

See also: caught, dead, seen

wouldn't dream of doing something

if someone wouldn't dream of doing something, they would never do it because they think it is wrong or silly. I wouldn't dream of asking my father for money.

See also: dream

wouldn't harm/hurt a fly

if you say that someone wouldn't hurt a fly, you mean that they are a gentle person and that they would not do anything to injure or upset anyone. Damian just isn't the violent type. He wouldn't hurt a fly.

See also: fly, harm, hurt

wouldn't know something if it hit you in the face

to not notice something although it is very obvious. Julie wouldn't know a good deal if it hit her in the face!

See also: face, hit, know

wouldn't say boo to a goose (British, informal, American, informal, Australian, informal)

if someone wouldn't say boo to a goose, they are shy and nervous. She wouldn't say boo to a goose, so I don't think she's cut out for a career in the police. I remember her as a quiet little girl who wouldn't say boo.

See also: boo, goose, say