talks the talk
Says the right things
To talk the talk is to speak convincingly about something, especially one's abilities or intentions.
The phrase usually appears with its companion walk the walk, which means to back up words with action.
Someone who talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk makes promises or claims they fail to deliver on.
Used alone, talking the talk can be neutral or slightly dismissive: He can talk the talk, but let's see if he performs.
- convincingAble to persuade
- eloquencePersuasive verbal grace
- inspiringEvoking enthusiasm or drive
- performativeDone for appearance's sake
- superficialLacking depth or substance
commanding · compelling · articulation · persuasive · gift of gab · silver tongue · pretentious · bluster · rhetoric · smooth operator · lip service · empty promises · full of hot air · rapport · charismatic · credible · fluency · influential
talks the talkwalks the walk
Acts on stated beliefs
delivers · follows through · performs · shows up · executes
talks the talkgenuine article
Authentic original item
walks the walk · authentic · understates · man of few words · man of action
talk, talks, talked, talking, talker, talkers, talkative, talky