Suffer fools gladly Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To be patient and tolerant with people who aren’t very smart or make silly mistakes, often used in the negative to mean someone gets easily annoyed by such people.
Usage & Nuances
Somewhat formal or literary; almost always used in the negative: 'does not suffer fools gladly.' Describes someone impatient with foolishness, not actually about physical suffering. Used to characterize people’s personalities in workplaces or social contexts.
Example Sentences
My boss does not suffer fools gladly.
basic
She is smart but doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
basic
If you want to work here, you must suffer fools gladly.
basic
He has zero patience for mistakes—he definitely does not suffer fools gladly.
natural
Don’t expect sympathy from her; she doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
natural
People who don’t suffer fools gladly can sometimes seem harsh, but they value efficiency.
natural