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turn the other cheek

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turn the other cheek

Fig. to ignore abuse or an insult. When Bob got mad at Mary and yelled at her, she just turned the other cheek. Usually I turn the other cheek when someone is rude to me.

See also: cheek, other, turn

turn the other cheek

to decide not to do anything to hurt someone who has hurt you When someone attacks you personally, the best approach may be to turn the other cheek.

Etymology: based on the Biblical instruction to turn the other cheek (if someone hits you, a better response than hitting them is to turn your face so that they can hit you on the other side)

See also: cheek, other, turn

turn the other cheek

if you turn the other cheek when someone attacks or insults you, you do not get angry and attack or insult them but stay calm instead Neither nation is renowned for turning the other cheek.

See also: cheek, other, turn

turn the other cheek

Respond meekly or mildly to insult or injury without retaliating. For example, There's no point in arguing with that unreasonable supervisor; just turn the other cheek . This expression comes from the New Testament, in which Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies and offer their other cheek to those who have struck one cheek (Luke 6:29).

See also: cheek, other, turn