# cast the first stone

> English word · Verb

## Definitions
1. To act self-righteously in accusing another person, believing oneself to be blameless.

## Etymology
From the Bible John 8:7, where Jesus tells the accusers of a woman of adultery that "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her". All accusers did not do so, and Jesus forgave the woman's sin.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cast-the-first-stone