tell it to the judge

English

Etymology

Suggesting what the police might say to a suspect who protests his innocence prior to trial.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Phrase

tell it to the judge

1. (idiomatic) I do not believe what you said.
   • 2012, Bill Crider, Murder of a Beauty Shop Queen: A Dan Rhodes Mystery, page 162:

     Al slid off Rhodes's back and moved away from him, hands in the air. “I was just being helpful.” “Tell it to the judge,” Rhodes said, and he took off after Frankie.

   • 2011, Steven W. Moore, Her Husband's Crossing: A Man Remembering His Past and His Love for One Woman, page 130:

     “Wait a minute, you don't understand, I wouldn`t kill my best friend!” Robert continued yelling. “Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say, tell it to the judge.”

   • 2008, Allan Michael Hardin, Sidetracked, page 48:

     “What? No. No! That's not true — he — wait just a —” stammered Fancy. Kinslow cut him off, “Tell it to the judge!”

2. Synonym of I don't care; synonym of talk to the hand.

Synonyms

• tell it to Sweeney, tell it to the marines; see also Thesaurus:bullshit