He talks big, but he is all mouth and no trousers.
all mouth and no trousers
idiomAlternative form of all mouth and trousers.
Origin
disputed originA possible corruption of all mouth and trousers, but consistent with phrases of the form all hat and no cattle and all bark and no bite. The implication of this phrase is that the person boasts, but is a laughing stock.
Do not worry about his threats to quit; he is all mouth and no trousers.
Despite his grandiose promises of reform, the politician proved to be all mouth and no trousers when it came time to act.
- 01
all mouth and trousers
Superficial, engaging in empty, boastful talk, but not of real substance.
- 02
all one's taste is in one's mouth
One lacks good taste in aesthetic or cultural matters.
- 03
bad taste in one's mouth
A feeling that something is morally despicable as to cause nausea.
- 04
big mouth
The mouth of someone who talks too much, especially by making exaggerated claims or by inappropriately revealing information.
- 05
born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
Born rich, or into a wealthy family.
- 06
butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth
The identified person appears to be benign, mild-mannered, or calm (but with an integral suggestion that, to the contrary, they really are untrustworthy, disagreeable, or mean-spirited).
- 07
down in the mouth
Sad or discouraged, especially as indicated by one's facial appearance.
- 08
hold one's mouth right
To act in the correct way, and have a little luck.