protest too much

(redirected from doth protest too much)

protest too much

To deny something so often and/or so forcefully that people think one is not telling the truth. Taken from a line in Shakespeare's Hamlet: "Methinks the lady doth protest too much" (and often used in that structure). At even the slightest suggestion that there might be some impropriety in the company's accounts, the manager flies into a rage. He protests a bit too much, don't you think? Shiela mentions at every opportunity how she loves her husband and didn't marry him for his money—methinks she doth protest too much.
See also: much, protest
References in classic literature ?
"I had so," cried Davy, but in the voice of one who doth protest too much. "No wonder you hadn't -- just sitting there like a -- like a mule."
View in context
But, they doth protest too much, methinks The BBC, despite the proliferation of high salaried officials and presenters, is a unique organisation that we should abandon at our peril.
BBC has the trust of world
Methinks the firm doth protest too much. The author is the managing partner of C.
Corporate denial lesson: Why Boeing needs an AA meeting
Jeff Watts METHINKS the lady doth protest too much...
Word on the web
It seems that Lyon -- who were perfectly happy to flog Fekir to the Reds for big bucks -- doth protest too much when it comes to their supposed ambitions to hold on to their captain.
London calling for Marko Grujic, Reds blow over Serie A stars and other Liverpool transfer rumours rated; A round-up of the latest Liverpool transfer gossip
(FIZZ) in a column entitled "FIZZ - Thou Doth Protest Too Much." We felt prompted to share our thoughts about a 10/19/17 press release by Nick A.
Capital Perspectives: Short covering strategy
Yet such remarks were a clear example of "the lady doth protest too much," showing his recognition that more and more Iranians reject the regime's political legitimacy.
The most important speech of the year in the Islamic Rep
Dear Editor Methinks Councillor Benny doth protest too much (Observer, March 21).
Westminster should pick up the costs
He contends the government "dedicates a significant amount of their Brief to information completely irrelevant to Cohen's arguments of due process violations" and accuses them of character assassination rather than arguing the relevant issues, concluding by quoting "Hamlet": "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." Cohen argues he believed he was facing a minimal prison term when he signed the plea agreement and the court "ignored voluminous financial evidence presented" in issuing advisory sentencing guidelines recommending life in prison.
4th Circuit to hear Jeffrey Cohen's appeal
But methinks not only that the president doth protest too much about his 'Nuclear Button', but also that many commentators are still missing the point.
The Perils Of Mixing Masculinity And Missiles
To me that sounds like someone who doth protest too much. I suspect the haters don't hate Mrs B at all.
Comedy gold or TV at its worst? Mrs Brown's Boys' great divide
In the same vein, his latest lecture about the sanctity of the Supreme Court has provoked a loud whisper: "the good judge doth protest too much".
Of trials and tribulations
YOUR apologist for Freemasonry, Mike Baker, doth protest too much methinks (Outdated view, Sunday Echo, September 10).
Bring Masons to light; SUNDAY SHOUT
"Methinks thou doth protest too much!" There are so many of these that they lose their impact.
Let them stay
Ella, driven it seems by fear of arrest, condemns Jews in a way that makes you suspect she doth protest too much. Joe (Phillip Col lins), whose prejudices against Jews and city folk in general seem more deeply ingrained, recounts with relish the sight of a Jewish man being kicked to death.
High tension in wartime tale of Jews on the run; Eating in the Street, Theatre Royal Studio
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