“All mouth and no trousers” is another phrase used mainly and heard primarily on the British Islands, meaning empty boasting. We use this phrase to describe someone who is boastful, arrogant, full of shallow talk, or someone who is just showing off. It’s commonly used when someone says they’re going to do something (usually something big, exciting or impressive) but never actually deliver on their claims.
Examples of use in a sentence:
- “He says he’s going to do something about it but he never will. He’s all mouth and no trousers.”
- “She says she’s going to complain to the manager, but she’s just all mouth and no action.”
Idioms with the same / similar meaning:
- all talk, no action
- great talkers are little doers
- all bark, no bite