Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
butter-wouldn't-melt-in-someone's-mouth
idiomatic expression
/ˈbʌtər ˈwʊdnt mɛlt ɪn ˈsʌmˌwʌnz maʊθ/
Definition
A phrase used to describe someone who seems innocent or sweet but might actually be deceitful or not as pure as they appear.
Examples
- Despite her sweet smile, everyone knows she has a butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-her-mouth attitude when it comes to gossiping.
- He acts like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, but I’ve seen him stir up trouble behind the scenes.
Meaning
The expression suggests that a person is feigning innocence or acting demure, despite having a more untrustworthy nature underneath.
Synonyms
- innocent facade
- deceptive innocence
- two-faced
