cast the first stone

/kæst ðə fɜːrst stoʊn/◆idiom

to be the first to criticize or blame

It's unfair to cast the first stone when no one knows the full story.

It's wrong to be the first to criticize when the situation is unclear.

◆ What It Really Means

To be the first to harshly criticize or blame someone, often without justification or while being guilty of similar faults.

¶ Literal Meaning

To physically throw the first stone in a stoning punishment.

Literal Breakdown

castto throw or hurl+the first stonethe initial stone thrown in a stoning ritual

◇ Mental Image

A mental picture of a crowd gathered to stone someone, where one person throws the first stone, symbolizing the start of unjust blame or punishment.

◈ When to Use

During a team meeting, a manager publicly criticizes an employee for a mistake, ignoring that the manager made a similar error earlier. A colleague later says, 'It was wrong of you to cast the first stone.'

◉ Cultural Note

The phrase originates from the biblical story of Jesus and the woman accused of adultery (John 8:7), where he challenges those without sin to cast the first stone. It has since become a metaphor for avoiding hypocritical judgment.

formal

to be the first to criticize or blame someone harshly, especially when others are also at fault

The media cast the first stone at the politician without waiting for evidence.

The media were the first to harshly criticize the politician before all facts were known.

In the meeting, Sarah cast the first stone at the team's failure, ignoring her own mistakes.

Sarah was the first to blame others for the team's failure, despite her own role.

Often implies hypocrisy or unfairness, as the critic may be guilty of similar faults.

Collocations

be quick to cast the first stoneto criticize others hastily without considering one's own faultsready to cast the first stoneeager to blame others without self-reflection

hypocrisy in criticizing others for faults one also possesses

judge not, lest ye be judgedproverb

advice against hypocritical judgment

Pro Tip

Avoiding hypocritical criticism

Use this phrase when discussing situations where someone criticizes others for actions they themselves have done. It highlights unfairness in blame.

Gold Rule

Context matters

This phrase is not about constructive criticism but about unfair, often hypocritical blame. Use it when the critic is also at fault.

Word Origin

Derived from the biblical phrase in John 8:7, where Jesus tells those ready to stone a woman for adultery: 'He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.' The phrase evolved to mean avoiding hypocritical criticism.

Usage Notes

Commonly used in discussions about fairness, hypocrisy, and social blame. Often appears in moral or ethical debates.

Word Breakdown

cast

to throw or direct

verb

the first stone

the initial act of blame or punishment

noun phrase

English Dictionary

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