“Ask no questions and hear no lies”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase means that by refraining from asking questions, especially on controversial or sensitive matters, one avoids being exposed to lies, untruths, or uncomfortable answers.
Tone Cautionary and slightly cynical
Where it comes from
The phrase can be traced back to the late 18th to early 19th century, appearing in various literary works. For instance, a variation of the phrase is found in Oliver Goldsmith’s 1773 play She Stoops to Conquer (‘Ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no fibs’).
Examples
- Knowing the company’s shady practices, he chose to stay silent—ask no questions and hear no lies.
- I didn’t ask her about the surprise party; ask no questions and hear no lies.
- When dealing with sensitive issues, he believed it was best to ask no questions and hear no lies.
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