tell it to the Marines

Idioms  

1. Go fool someone else because I won't believe that. For example, He's a millionaire? Tell it to the Marines! This term originated among British sailors, who regarded marines as naive and gullible. [c. 1800]

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Example Sentences

From 1926 to 1931, thanks to hits like Brown of Harvard and Tell It to the Marines, Billy Haines was ranked as one of the Top 10 box office stars in Hollywood.

From Slate

It’s not surprising to learn that audiences preferred George W. Hill’s 1926 “Tell It to the Marines,” the fourth film in Warner’s current Chaney lot.

From New York Times

Oh! no; better tell it to the marines.

From Project Gutenberg

That's what it was like for me, year after year: "Tell me another one" or "Oh, sure, we believe that" or "Tell it to the Marines."

From Time Magazine Archive

Since the Marine Corps is a conglomeration of such ruffians, it is said in America, 'Tell it to the Marines.'

From Time Magazine Archive