# get thee behind me

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/get-thee-behind-me
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- Get thee behind me, you tempting chocolate cake.
- When my friend tried to convince me to skip work, I told him, get thee behind me.
- As the old doubts returned to haunt his resolve, he whispered, get thee behind me, for I will not falter now.

## 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).

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.