hurt a fly
Cause minimal damage
Hurt a fly appears almost exclusively in negative constructions: someone wouldn't hurt a fly, couldn't hurt a fly, wouldn't harm a fly.
The phrase emphasizes extreme gentleness or harmlessness—if someone wouldn't hurt even the most insignificant creature, they're incapable of violence or cruelty toward anyone.
- injureCause physical harm
- harmInjury or damage
- mild-manneredGentle and unassertive
- woundCoiled, or an injury
- docileEasily controlled or taught
nonviolent · damage · tenderhearted · blameless · compassionate · heart of gold · humane · pacifist · wouldn't · kindhearted · kind heart · gentle · gentle soul · meek · benevolent · sympathetic · empathy · virtuous
hurt a flyviolent
Involving physical force
brutal · dangerous · savage · vicious · bloodthirsty
hurt a flyhot-tempered
Prone to quick anger
volatile · belligerent · combative · pugnacious · fierce
hurt, fly, hurts, hurting, hurtful, hurtfully, hurtfulness, unhurt, flying