shoot the messenger

verb

To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable for a problem because they brought attention to it.

“I know you won't like this news, but please don't shoot the messenger.”

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Meanings

verbshoot the messenger (third-person singular simple present shoots the messenger, present participle shooting the messenger, simple past and past participle shot the messenger)

present singular third person shoots the messenger · participle present shooting the messenger · participle past shot the messenger · past shot the messenger · alternative kill the messenger · alternative shoot the messenger boy

  1. humorousidiomaticsarcasticTo blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable for a problem because they brought attention to it.

    I know you won't like this news, but please don't shoot the messenger.

Translations

Finnish ampua viestintuoja
  • ampua viestintuojato blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable for a problem because they brought attention to it — see also don't shoot the messenger
French tuer le messager, tirer sur le messager
  • tuer le messagerto blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable for a problem because they brought attention to it — see also don't shoot the messenger
  • tirer sur le messagerto blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable for a problem because they brought attention to it — see also don't shoot the messenger
Polish strzelać do posłańca
  • strzelać do posłańcato blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable for a problem because they brought attention to it — see also don't shoot the messenger
Cite this entry
APA

shoot the messenger. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shoot%20the%20messenger

MLA

“shoot the messenger.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shoot%20the%20messenger. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “shoot the messenger,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shoot%20the%20messenger.

Source: shoot the messenger on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.