cast the first stone

Idioms  

1. Also, throw the first stone. Be quick to blame, criticize, or punish, as in She's always criticizing her colleagues, casting the first stone no matter what the circumstances. The term comes from the New Testament (John 8:7), where Jesus defends an adulteress against those who would stone her, saying “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Also see people who live in glass houses; pot calling the kettle black.

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Example Sentences

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cast the first stone

Let she who has never wished to eat her offspring cast the first stone.

From Salon ● May 11, 2025

Then, once you’re back, if you have never called a significant other something saccharine and humiliating, feel free to cast the first stone.

From Slate ● Aug. 15, 2018

How the enemy can tear down our community and rewrite the history by highlighting our flaws.But let he who cast the first stone, who constitutes the new laws.Nah,

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 25, 2016

Jesus told them "let him among you who is without sin, cast the first stone" and then told the woman "go and sin no more".

From Reuters ● Mar. 17, 2013

Secondly, monarchies are not in a condition to cast the first stone.

From The Galaxy, April, 1877 Vol. XXIII.—April, 1877.—No. 4. by Various