talking trash
Insulting the opponent
Talking trash is taunting or boasting, especially toward an opponent in competition.
The phrase suggests aggressive verbal needling meant to intimidate or provoke: He was talking trash before the fight, but couldn't back it up.
Common in sports and gaming contexts.
Also appears as the noun phrase trash talk or verb trash-talk.
- bad-mouthingVerbally attacking someone's reputation
- talking smackMaking insulting remarks
- tauntingInsulting to provoke
- boastingExcessive self-praise
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
mockery · jeering · mocking · insults · tall tales · rap battles · playing the dozens · lies · diss · jawing · sarcasm · verbal sparring · war of words · ridicule · gibe · heckling · fighting words · humor
- defamationslander, libel, defamation, defamatory statement, defaming
talking trashgood sportsmanship
Honorable conduct in competition
talking trashpraising
Voicing admiration
encouraging · building up · paying tribute · cheering on · flattering
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