ENGLISH
REFERENCE

put up or shut up

idiom
Meaning

To desist from saying something unless one is able to prove it; to act in a manner that makes further talk unnecessary.


Examples
SIMPLE

If you think you can win, put up or shut up.

CONTEXTUAL

He kept bragging about his skills, so his friend told him to put up or shut up.

COMPLEX

The politician challenged his opponent to put up or shut up regarding the corruption allegations, demanding evidence instead of mere rhetoric.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    keep one's mouth shut

    To keep a secret; to refrain from speaking indiscreetly or carelessly; broadly, to refrain from speaking altogether.

  2. 02

    not to put too fine a point on it

    Used to apologize for a possibly impolite statement one is making; to put it bluntly; to express it in plain terms.

  3. 03

    put a band-aid on a bullet wound

    To inadequately treat a serious situation.

  4. 04

    put a blanket over

    Make (something) seem less serious.

  5. 05

    put a bug in someone's ear

    To make a small suggestion or give a hint that causes the listener to act.

  6. 06

    put a damper on

    To stop people from enjoying an activity.

  7. 07

    put a foot wrong

    To make a mistake.

  8. 08

    put a gun to someone's head

    To compel someone (to do something); to create a situation in which someone has no alternative course of action.

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