Thomas
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
doubting Thomas
A skeptic. A reference to the Biblical story about the Apostle Thomas, who refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until he saw him in person. Lisa's husband was a real doubting Thomas when she told him she'd won the lottery. He demanded to check the ticket himself.
John Thomas
vulgar slang A penis. Primarily heard in UK. The footballer lay on the ground in agony after being struck in the John Thomas by a defender's foot.
sup with Sir Thomas Gresham
To go without food. Sir Thomas Gresham founded the Royal Exchange in London, which the poor often visited. A: "Why are you so hungry? Didn't you eat dinner?" B: "No, I got stuck in a meeting, so I supped with Sir Thomas Gresham."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
doubting Thomas
someone who will not easily believe something without strong proof or evidence. (Can be said of a man or a woman. From the biblical account of the apostle Thomas, who would not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until he actually touched the risen Christ.) Mary won't believe that I have a dog until she sees it. She's such a doubting Thomas.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
doubting Thomas
One who is habitually doubtful. For example, He was a doubting Thomas about the coming merger, not believing it would ever happen. The term alludes to the disciple Thomas, who doubted Jesus's resurrection until he had first-hand evidence of it (John 20:24-29).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
a doubting Thomas
a person who refuses to believe something without having incontrovertible proof; a sceptic.In the Bible, the apostle Thomas said that he would not believe that Christ had risen from the dead until he had seen and touched his wounds (John 20:24–9).
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
a ˌdoubting ˈThomas
a person who will not believe something without proof: Now, for all you doubting Thomases who thought I couldn’t win an important race, here’s my medal to prove it!This expression comes from the Bible. Thomas refused to believe that Jesus had been brought back to life until he saw Jesus for himself and touched his wounds.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
doubting Thomas
A person who habitually questions every issue. The term alludes to Jesus’s disciple Thomas, who refused to believe in the resurrection until he had solid evidence of it (recounted in the Book of John, 20:24– 25). The term has been applied to similarly doubtful individuals ever since, although the exact wording dates only from the late 1800s. W. C. Wyckoff used it: “Doubting Thomases, who will only believe what they see, must wait awhile” (Harper’s Magazine, June 1883).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer