mouths off
Speaks out rudely
To mouth off is to speak rudely, aggressively, or disrespectfully, especially to someone in authority: He got suspended for mouthing off to the teacher.
The phrase suggests talking back, complaining loudly, or expressing opinions in a brash or insolent way: She's always mouthing off about something.
Reasoned case or dispute
- altercationHeated verbal dispute
- quarrelAngry verbal dispute
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- clashesViolent encounters or disagreements
disagreement · squabble · spat · verbal sparring · heated exchange · shouting match · war of words · blowup
Defiance of established power
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
- dissentDisagreement with authority
recalcitrance · resistance · refusal · contrariness · obstinacy · willfulness · stubbornness · unruliness
Insolent verbal response
- sassinessImpertinent boldness of manner
- disrespectLack of regard
- impertinenceRude disregard for propriety
- impudenceShameless boldness toward superiors
cheekiness · audacity · brazenness · lip · attitude · snark · sarcasm · flippancy
Dull or tactlessly direct
- candidHonest and direct
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
- frankOpen and direct
- vocalExpressing views freely
assertive · direct · unreserved · opinionated · bold · unfiltered · uninhibited · speaking out
argument
Reasoned case or dispute
- altercationHeated verbal dispute
- quarrelAngry verbal dispute
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
clashes · disagreement · squabble · spat · verbal sparring · heated exchange · shouting match · war of words · blowup · outburst
rebellion
Defiance of established power
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
dissent · recalcitrance · resistance · refusal · contrariness · obstinacy · willfulness · stubbornness · unruliness · standing up
backtalk
Insolent verbal response
- sassinessImpertinent boldness of manner
- disrespectLack of regard
- impertinenceRude disregard for propriety
impudence · cheekiness · audacity · brazenness · lip · attitude · snark · sarcasm · flippancy · irreverence
blunt
Dull or tactlessly direct
- candidHonest and direct
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
- frankOpen and direct
vocal · assertive · direct · unreserved · opinionated · bold · unfiltered · uninhibited · speaking out · voicing
mouths offshuts up
Becomes silent abruptly
bites one's tongue · keeps mum · clams up · keeps one's mouth shut · zips it
mouths offsubmits
Yields to authority
complies · defers · obeys · acquiesces · backs down