# tell it to the judge

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/tell-it-to-the-judge
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

I do not believe what you said.

## Examples

- You say you were late because of traffic, but tell it to the judge.
- He claimed he did not know the rules, but his boss just told him to tell it to the judge.
- When the defendant insisted that his actions were entirely accidental, the prosecutor scoffed and told him to tell it to the judge.

## Origin

The expression originates from a standard retort issued by police officers to suspects who protest their innocence before a trial has commenced. It functions as a dismissal of immediate explanations, suggesting that the suspect reserve their arguments for a formal legal setting.

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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.