What does “Tell it to the marines” mean?

"Tell it to the marines" means to express disbelief or skepticism towards someone's story or statement.

What context can I use the in?

Example

He said he caught a fish as big as a whale. Yeah, tell it to the marines.

Example

She claimed she won the lottery three times in a row. Tell it to the marines.

Example

He insisted he could run a marathon in under two hours. I told him to tell it to the marines

Is “Tell it to the marines” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Tell it to the marines” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Tell it to the marines” effectively in context?

You can use "Tell it to the marines" to express disbelief or skepticism towards someone's story or statement. It implies that the person is not being truthful or is exaggerating. For example, if someone claims they caught a fish as big as a whale, you might respond, 'Yeah, tell it to the marines.'

1Friend's Story
She claimed she won the lottery three times in a row. Tell it to the marines.
2Boastful Statement
He insisted he could run a marathon in under two hours. I told him to tell it to the marines.
3Exaggerated Claim
He said he caught a fish as big as a whale. Yeah, tell it to the marines.

Similar phrases to “Tell it to the marines”:

Take it with a grain of salt

To be skeptical or doubtful about something

Example

He said he saw a UFO last night. I took it with a grain of salt.

Pull the wool over someone's eyes

To deceive or trick someone

Example

He tried to pull the wool over my eyes, but I knew he was lying.

Call someone's bluff

To challenge someone to prove their claim or threat

Example

He threatened to quit if he didn't get a raise. I called his bluff and he stayed.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Tell it to the marines” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Tell it to the marines" is uncertain. It is believed to have originated in the late 18th or early 19th century, possibly in the British Navy. The marines were known for their skepticism and disbelief towards exaggerated or unlikely stories told by sailors.

Is “Tell it to the marines” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Tell it to the marines" is a common expression in everyday conversation. It is often used to express doubt or skepticism towards someone's story or statement.

What tone does “Tell it to the marines” have?

"Tell it to the marines" conveys a tone of disbelief and skepticism. It is typically used in a sarcastic or dismissive manner to indicate that the speaker does not believe what they are being told.

Can “Tell it to the marines” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "Tell it to the marines" is informal and is commonly used in casual conversations among friends, family, and colleagues. It may not be appropriate for more formal or professional settings.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He claimed he could speak five languages fluently. Yeah, "tell it to the marines".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying '"Tell it to the marines"' to express disbelief or skepticism.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

don't make me laugh
i'll believe it when i see it
that's a likely story
you must think i was born yesterday
i'm not buying it

Antonyms

i believe you
that sounds plausible
i trust you
no reason to doubt you
i have no reason to question that