wouldn't hurt a fly

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:
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