put one's money where one's mouth is
Act on words
To put one's money where one's mouth is means to back up words with action, especially financial commitment.
Someone who talks about supporting a cause but never donates isn't putting their money where their mouth is.
The phrase challenges people to prove sincerity through tangible investment rather than empty talk: You say you believe in the company—put your money where your mouth is and buy some shares.
- put up or shut upUltimatum demanding action or silence
- honestyTruthfulness, sincerity
- follow-throughCompleting what you began
- investmentDeploying capital for returns
- courageFortitude facing danger
credibility · funding · leadership · dedication · ownership · stand behind · pledge · backing · stakes · contribution · skin in the game · boldness · genuineness · exposure · consistency · walk the talk · walk the walk · back it up
put one's money where one's mouth isall talk and no action
Says much, does nothing
all talk · empty promises · talk the talk · all hat and no cattle · talk a good game
put one's money where one's mouth isback out
Withdraw from commitment
weasel out · hedge one's bets · sit on the fence · chicken out · cop out
put one's money where one's mouth isall talk and no action
Says much, does nothing
all bark and no bite · empty promises · talk a good game · idle threats · cheap talk