tell it to the marines: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    USUKAustraliainformalcolloquial
    • Express disbelief in a story or claim, implying that it is so unlikely that only the gullible would believe it.
    • Dismiss an assertion as a tall tale and indicate that the speaker will not be convinced.

    Examples

    Beta

    • When Tom said he’d run a marathon without training, I told it to the marines right away.

      When Tom said he’d run a marathon without training, I told it to the marines right away.

    • You think that excuse will work? Tell it to the marines — I’m not convinced.

      You think that excuse will work? Tell it to the marines — I’m not convinced.

    • After hearing his unbelievable story, I just told it to the marines and walked off.

      After hearing his unbelievable story, I just told it to the marines and walked off.

  • 2.

    USUKAustraliainformaljocular
    • Tell someone to go and say their boast or excuse to others, typically as a way of dismissing it.

    Examples

    Beta

    • If you want to boast, go ahead and tell it to the marines; I’m not interested.

      If you want to boast, go ahead and tell it to the marines; I’m not interested.

    • He told it to the marines when he bragged about winning the lottery twice.

      He told it to the marines when he bragged about winning the lottery twice.

    • Don’t waste your breath on me; tell it to the marines if you want to impress someone.

      Don’t waste your breath on me; tell it to the marines if you want to impress someone.

Examples:

  • EN: Tell all workers in the factories and the fields, tell our armed forces on land and sea... and in the air... and, by all means, tell it to the marines!
    ES: Díganselo a los obreros, y a los campesinos, a nuestras Fuerzas Armadas, terrestres, marítimas... y aéreas. ¡Y a la lnfantería de Marina!"
  • EN: Tell all workers in the factories and the fields, tell our armed forces on land and sea... and in the air... and, by all means, tell it to the marines!
    ES: Díganselo a los obreros, y a los campesinos, a nuestras Fuerzas Armadas, terrestres, marítimas... y aéreas. ¡Y a la lnfantería de Marina!"
  • EN: Don't forget to tell it to the marines.
    ES: No te olvides de decírselo a la Marina.
  • EN: Go tell it to the marines.
    ES: ¡A otro perro con ese hueso!
  • EN: If you or Howard have anything else to say, you can tell it to the marines.
    ES: Si usted o Howard tiene nada más que decir, se puede decir que a los infantes de marina
    ID: Jika kau atau Howard masih ada hal lain yang mau dibicarakan, kau bisa beritahu aku di marinir.

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Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

tell it to the marines | Idiomator