# tell it to the marines

idiom

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

## Meaning

I do not believe what you said.

## Examples

- You expect me to believe that? Tell it to the marines.
- He claimed he was late because of a parade, but I told him to tell it to the marines.
- When the politician insisted that the budget cuts were for the public good, the skeptical crowd shouted for him to tell it to the marines.

## Origin

Unknown, with many apocryphal suggestions.

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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.