wouldn't say boo to a goose

wouldn't say boo to a goose

Is particularly shy, nervous, or diffident. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. My brother is a very sweet, warm-hearted man who wouldn't say boo to a goose. How can you suspect that he committed this crime?

See also: boo, goose, say, to

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

wouldn't say boo to a goose

BRITISH, INFORMAL

If you say that someone wouldn't say boo to a goose, you mean that they are very quiet, shy, and nervous. `If you remember, at college I wouldn't say boo to a goose.' — `That's right, you were very quiet.' She recalled a shy, overweight girl who wouldn't say boo to a goose

See also: boo, goose, say, to

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

wouldn't say boo to a goose

(of a person) very shy or reticent.

1948 P. G. Wodehouse Uncle Dynamite She looks on you as a…poor, spineless sheep who can't say boo to a goose.

See also: boo, goose, say, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

he, she, etc. wouldn’t say ˌboo to a ˈgoose

(informal) somebody is very shy and afraid of upsetting or annoying people: How could he ever succeed in politics? He wouldn’t say boo to a goose.

People shout Boo! when they want to surprise or frighten somebody.

See also: boo, goose, say, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017