talk out of both sides of one's mouth — To say contradictory or inconsistent things depending on the audience or situation, often to please or deceive different people; to be hypocritical in speech.
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: To say contradictory or inconsistent things depending on the audience or situation, often to please or deceive different people; to be hypocritical in speech.
Pronunciation (IPA): /tɔːk aʊt əv boʊθ saɪdz əv wʌnz maʊθ/
Example Sentences
- My boss talks out of both sides of his mouth: he tells me to relax, then emails me at midnight asking why the report isn't done.
- You can't trust a salesman who talks out of both sides of his mouth, praising the product to you and mocking it to his coworkers.
- The coach talked out of both sides of his mouth, telling the star player he's irreplaceable and telling the bench player he might start next game.
talk out of both sides of one's mouth
VERB[/tɔːk aʊt əv boʊθ saɪdz əv wʌnz maʊθ/]
To say contradictory or inconsistent things depending on the audience or situation, often to please or deceive different people; to be hypocritical in speech.
The politician talks out of both sides of his mouth, promising tax cuts and more spending.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This idiom emerged in early 20th-century American political slang, describing politicians who gave contradictory statements to different audiences, as if speaking from two mouths.
Breakdown
talk (to speak) + out of (from) + both sides (two sides) + of one's mouth (of the mouth) — literally 'speaking from both sides of the mouth'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My boss talks out of both sides of his mouth: he tells me to relax, then emails me at midnight asking why the report isn't done.”
“You can't trust a salesman who talks out of both sides of his mouth, praising the product to you and mocking it to his coworkers.”
“The coach talked out of both sides of his mouth, telling the star player he's irreplaceable and telling the bench player he might start next game.”
“She's always talking out of both sides of her mouth—supporting the new policy in meetings but complaining about it privately.”
📚Related Words
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