talk big
Exaggerate one's abilities
To talk big is to boast or make grand claims, especially ones you may not be able to back up: He talks big about his connections, but I've never seen him deliver.
The phrase implies exaggeration or empty bravado—someone whose words outpace their abilities or achievements.
- bragSpeak with excessive pride
- boastSpeak with excessive pride
- toot one's own hornBoast about oneself
- blusterLoud, empty boasting
- beat one's chestOstentatious self-promotion gesture
puffery · inflate · overstate · blow smoke · blowhard · full of hot air · bombast · tall tales · exaggerate · ballyhoo · hot air · braggadocio · gasconade · bluff · pontificate · run one's mouth · chest-thumping · empty promises
talk bigunderstate
Express with restraint
downplay · self-deprecate · minimize · hide one's light under a bushel · undersell
talk bighedge
Boundary of planted shrubs
equivocate · speak softly · hem and haw · hold back · bite one's tongue
talk bigwalk the walk
Act on stated beliefs
deliver · put up · back it up · prove oneself · show don't tell
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