insult one's intelligence
To treat someone as if they are not intelligent or enough to understand something obvious.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Don't lie to me, it insults my intelligence.”
“The boss tried to explain the simple error as a complex technical glitch, which really insulted my intelligence.”
“By offering such a transparently dishonest excuse for his failure, the politician insulted the intelligence of every voter in the room.”
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
add insult to injury
To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an already unfavorable situation.
- 06
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 07
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 08
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
Last updated August 10, 2026