too cute by half

A phrase to denote the subject to be excessively sneaky or cute.

That is, if the the subject were being HALF as sneaky (cute, clever) as they had been, it would have still been considered excessive or too much.

"Don't be cute. You insulted him."

"Oh, no. I swear. I was just saying--"

"Go fuck yourself with the handle of a pin-pong paddle, Chad. You were being too cute by half."

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