talked the talk

Said the right things

To talk the talk is to speak confidently or knowledgeably about something, especially in ways that suggest competence or commitment.

The phrase almost always appears alongside its counterpart: She talks the talk, but can she walk the walk?

Someone who talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk makes claims their actions don't support.

Related

lip service · empty words · chat · empty promises · full of hot air · follow-through · deeds · bluster · speech · communicating · trustworthiness · integrity · boast · walk the walk · back it up · make good · brag · reliability

Opposites
action vs. rhetoric

talked the talkwalked the walk

Acted on stated beliefs

put one's money where one's mouth is · followed through · took action · put up or shut up · showed up

authenticity

talked the talkwalked the walk

Acted on stated beliefs

genuine article · true to one's word · man of action · doer · practitioner

Family

talk, talked, talks, talking, talker, talkers, talkative, talky

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G