# flap one's gums

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/flap-ones-gums
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To speak idly; to talk without effect.

## Examples

- Stop flapping your gums and start working.
- The meeting lasted an hour, but he was just flapping his gums without offering any real solutions.
- While the politician continued to flap his gums about reform, the citizens grew increasingly frustrated by the lack of tangible progress.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.