trust someone as far as one could throw him, not to/I wouldn't

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

I do not trust that person at all. You want me to tell our plans to Jill? I wouldn't trust Jill as far as I could throw her. The government is asking us to believe that they'll apply the new tax fairly, but I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them. I wouldn't trust Ed as far as I could throw him, so do not tell him our secret!

See also: could, far, throw, trust

not trust (someone) as far as (one) can throw (them)

To be very suspicious of someone; to not trust or believe someone. You want me to tell our plans to Jill? I don't trust Jill as far as I can throw her. The government is asking us to believe that they'll apply the new tax fairly, but I wouldn't trust them as far as I can throw them.

See also: can, far, not, throw, trust

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

trust someone as far as one could throw him, not to/I wouldn't

An indication of profound mistrust. This hyperbolic metaphor dates from about 1870 and presumably alludes to an individual too heavy to pick up and toss (in other words, not a small child).

See also: could, far, not, one, someone, throw, to, trust

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer