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Meaning of sticks and stones | Babel Free

Phrase CEFR C1

Definitions

Ellipsis of sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, idiomatic

Examples

“1957, Brendan Gill, The Day the Money Stopped ‘You cheap dead-beat son of a bitch.’ / ‘Sticks and stones.’”
“1993, The Independent, 15 May He has come through the worst and now presents a stoical ‘sticks and stones’ front to his detractors.”
“Elizabeth Swann: You're despicable! Jack Sparrow: Sticks and stones, love.”
“(Kate): That's gross! You're a pervert. (Trekkie):Oh, sticks and stones, Kate Monster.”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.

See also

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