# insult one's intelligence

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/insult-ones-intelligence
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To treat someone as if they are not intelligent or enough to understand something obvious.

## Examples

- 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.

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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.