Etymology

From the Bible John 8:7, where Jesus tells the accusers of a woman of adultery that "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her". All accusers did not do so, and Jesus forgave the woman's sin.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

  Category:English terms with audio pronunciation#CASTTHEFIRSTSTONE

Verb

cast the first stone (third-person singular simple present casts the first stone, present participle casting the first stone, simple past and past participle cast the first stone)Category:English lemmas#CASTTHEFIRSTSTONECategory:English verbs#CASTTHEFIRSTSTONECategory:English multiword terms#CASTTHEFIRSTSTONECategory:English entries with incorrect language header#CASTTHEFIRSTSTONECategory:Pages with entries#CAST%20THE%20FIRST%20STONECategory:Pages with 1 entry#CAST%20THE%20FIRST%20STONE

1. (idiomaticCategory:English idioms#CASTTHEFIRSTSTONE) To act self-righteously in accusing another person, believing oneself to be blameless.
   • 2007, March 10, Mr Gingrich, on the impeachment proceedings in 1999. Reported in The Guardian

     I knew I couldn't cast the first stone as I knew I had weaknesses. ... (But) as a leader of the government trying to uphold the rule of law I have no choice but to move forward and say you cannot accept perjury in your highest officials.

See also

• people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones