not a fool to say that

[daruk]

Hello, forum gurus!

She cannot be a fool to say that.

Does this have two possible meanings below, 1 and 2?

1. She will not say that because she is not a fool.
2. She said that, which reveals that she is not a fool.

 

[lingobingo]

It’s a strange comment, which could only mean 2, in my view. But the perfect infinitive would be more idiomatic: She can’t be a fool, to have said that (= if she said that).

 

[daruk]

It’s a strange comment, which could only mean 2, in my view. But the perfect infinitive would be more idiomatic: She can’t be a fool, to have said that (= if she said that).

Ohhh
I see. I see.
This helps.
Thank you so much, lingobingo!

 

[Hermione Golightly]

The sentence is not an acceptable communication of either possible meaning.

 

[Toby Sherman]

Based on your suggestion #1, are you really thinking of the common expression "not fool enough to [do something]?

In this case:
She is not fool enough to say that.

 

[daruk]

The sentence is not an acceptable communication of either possible meaning.

Ohhhh
This is a new discovery.
Thank you so much, Hermione!

 

[daruk]

Based on your suggestion #1, are you really thinking of the common expression "not fool enough to [do something]?

In this case:
She is not fool enough to say that.

Ohhh
I thought it was only "not foolish enough to".
I didn't know about "not fool enough to".
Thank you so much, Toby!