sticks and stones

sticks and stones

A shorthand way of referring to the phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," a childish rebuttal to teasing or other harsh speech. A: "There are some pretty unflattering rumors circulating about you now." B: "Oh, who cares? Sticks and stones, and all that."

See also: and, stick, stone

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.