Phrase guide

butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth

phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

phrase

Meaning 1

The identified person appears to be benign, mild-mannered, or calm (but with an integral suggestion that, to the contrary, they really are untrustworthy, disagreeable, or mean-spirited).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

phrase

Meaning 2

The identified person is prim and proper, standoffish, cool, or dispassionate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: van de prins geen kwaad weten — benign appearance, suggesting the contrary
  • French: on lui donnerait le bon Dieu sans confession — benign appearance, suggesting the contrary
  • Italian: essere una gatta morta — benign appearance, suggesting the contrary
  • Spanish: parecer una mosquita muerta — benign appearance, suggesting the contrary
  • Swedish: len i munnen — benign appearance, suggesting the contrary