IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishkill them all and let God sort them out
Meaning: A grim or joking call to act ruthlessly without distinguishing innocent from guilty.
Example: “When the bug couldn't be found, the manager joked, "Kill them all and let God sort them out," and restarted every server.”
Origin: It goes back to the Albigensian Crusade: at the massacre of Béziers in 1209, the papal legate Arnaud Amalric is reported, by the chronicler Caesarius of Heisterbach writing years later, to have said "Kill them all; God will know his own." Whether he said it is uncertain.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Dieu reconnaîtra les siens Literally: God will recognize his own
More English idioms
- a little bird told me I learned it from a secret source I won't name.
- put one's feet up To relax and rest.
- blow a gasket To lose one's temper completely.
- hearts and flowers Excessive sentimentality.
- fall into someone's lap To come to someone without any effort.
- cherchez la femme There is probably a woman behind this situation.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Tête de mule An impossibly stubborn person who refuses to change their mind no matter what.
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