Shoot the messenger

Meaning

Blame the bearer of bad news.

Usage

Used when people react negatively to unfortunate news.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Ancient kings would harm messengers who brought bad tidings.

Has been a cautionary tale in military and royal stories.