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messenger

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don't kill the messenger

Don't get angry at or punish someone who is simply delivering bad or undesirable news as he or she is not responsible for it. A: "What do you mean I'm being sued by my ex-wife? I'll knock your lights out!" B: "Hey man, I'm just doing my job. Don't kill the messenger!"

See also: kill, messenger

don't shoot the messenger

Don't get angry at or punish someone who is simply delivering bad or undesirable news, as he or she is not responsible for it. A: "What do you mean I'm being sued by my ex-wife? I'll knock your lights out!" B: "Hey man, I'm just doing my job. Don't shoot the messenger!"

See also: messenger, shoot

shoot the messenger

  (humorous)

to blame or punish the person who tells you about something bad that has happened instead of the person who is responsible for it And now for tomorrow's weather - it's going to be cold, wet and stormy, but don't shoot the messenger!

See also: messenger, shoot