smarting off
Giving lip rudely
Smarting off is talking back with disrespectful or sarcastic remarks, especially to someone in authority.
The phrase suggests a mouthy defiance—a teenager smarting off to a teacher, an employee smarting off to the boss: He got detention for smarting off in class.
The related noun is smart-off or smartass.
- sassingImpertinent verbal defiance
- talking backRude reply to authority
- talk backRespond with disrespect
- flippantCarelessly disrespectful
- wise guySarcastic, flippant person
backtalk · snark · cheeky · mouthing off · wisecrack · comeback · mouthy · pert · repartee · insolence · quip · sharp tongue · riposte · impudent · banter · rejoinder · disrespect · retort
smarting offkowtowing
Submissive display of respect
biting one's tongue · yes sir · keeping quiet · brown-nosing · kissing up
smarting offbiting one's tongue
Deliberately not speaking up
keeping quiet · keeping one's mouth shut · zipping it · buttoning up · nodding along
smarting offobeying
Following directives given
complying · falling in line · toeing the line · submitting · acquiescing
smart, smarts, smartly, smartness, smarting, smarted, smarter, smartest