put one's oar in
Offer unsolicited advice
To put one's oar in is to offer an opinion or involve oneself in a matter without being asked—like someone grabbing an oar to help row a boat that already has enough rowers.
The phrase typically carries a note of unwelcome interference: Nobody asked you to put your oar in.
British English sometimes uses put one's oar in or stick one's oar in interchangeably.
- meddleInterfere without invitation
- stick one's nose inInvolve oneself uninvited
- intrudeEnter uninvited
- butt inInterject without welcome
- suggestOffer an idea indirectly
intervene · interlope · advise · recommend · pry · kibitz · counsel · propose · critique · opine · remark · oar · encroach · disrupt · trespass · obstruct · horn in · mind your own business
put one's oar inmind one's own business
Refrain from prying
butt out · leave well enough alone · hands off · stand aside · keep one's distance
put one's oar inhold one's tongue
Deliberately not speak
keep quiet · bite one's tongue · keep one's mouth shut · say nothing · keep mum