flap one's gums
Talk without substance
To flap one’s gums is to talk excessively or idly, often without substance or purpose.
The phrase evokes the image of lips moving without meaningful output, much like flapping.
Historically, it has been used to mock or dismiss someone perceived as verbose or trivial in their speech.
Stop flapping your gums and get to the point.
- jawingProlonged idle chatter
- shoot the breezeConverse idly, without aim
- shoot the bullEngage in idle talk
- chatterLight, rapid speech
- loquaciousnessExcessive inclination to chatter
gossip · talk trash · yapping · small talk · babble · talk a blue streak · talk someone's ear off · bend someone's ear · verbosity · confabulation · chinwagging · garrulousness · prattle · talkativeness · go on and on · run one's mouth · banter · beat around the bush
flap one's gumsget to the point
Speak directly now
make a point · speak one's mind · tell it like it is · cut to the chase · speak truth
flap one's gumshold one's tongue
Deliberately not speak
keep quiet · shut up · be silent · keep mum · button one's lip
flap one's gumstake action
Begin doing something
walk the walk · put up or shut up · do something · act · get things done
flap, flaps, flapped, flapping, flapper, flappers, gums, gummed, gumming