ENGLISH
REFERENCE

get thee behind me

idiom
Meaning

Do not tempt or torment me; I reject you, your statements, or your beliefs.


Origin

disputed origin

Originally uttered by Christ in the King James Bible, Matthew 16:23: “get thee behind me, Satan”; Latin vāde retrō, Satanā; Ancient Greek ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, Σατανᾶ (húpage opísō mou, Satanâ).

Examples
SIMPLE

Get thee behind me, you tempting chocolate cake.

CONTEXTUAL

When my friend tried to convince me to skip work, I told him, get thee behind me.

COMPLEX

As the old doubts returned to haunt his resolve, he whispered, get thee behind me, for I will not falter now.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    can't get enough

    Greatly enjoys; likes a lot.

  2. 02

    could not get elected dogcatcher

    Said of someone, particularly a politician, who is extremely unpopular.

  3. 03

    don't get someone started

    Used to attempt to avoid or abbreviate a discussion that speaker or hearer may wish to avoid.

  4. 04

    fare thee well

    The greatest extent; completion; a state of refinement or perfection.

  5. 05

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    I strongly believe.

  6. 06

    get a charge out of

    To derive excitement, entertainment, or pleasure from.

  7. 07

    get a clue

    To become aware of the obvious reality of a situation, often used as a command to indicate frustration

  8. 08

    get a fix

    To obtain something necessary, especially a dose of an addictive drug or anything else compulsively sought after.

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