shoot from the lip
To speak confidently and unhesitantly but without careful forethought or a reliable knowledge of important facts pertaining to the subject matter.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He often shoots from the lip without checking the facts first.”
“I often shoot from the lip when I feel nervous in social situations.”
“Stop shooting from the lip and listen to the actual instructions.”
“During the meeting, the manager shot from the lip and promised a deadline that the team could not possibly meet.”
“You should prepare your presentation carefully instead of shooting from the lip and giving the clients incorrect pricing information.”
“The young intern shot from the lip during the interview, claiming she knew how to use software that she had never actually opened.”
“The politician was known to shoot from the lip, frequently making bold claims that lacked any foundation in reality or evidence.”
The phrase emerged as a humorous alteration of the earlier idiom shoot from the hip. The original expression referred to the speed of a gunslinger's draw, while this variant substitutes the anatomical location to indicate an equivalent lack of restraint in speech.
- 01
bite one's lip
To forcibly prevent oneself from speaking, especially in order to avoid saying something inappropriate or likely to cause a dispute.
- 02
button one's lip
To remain silent, especially in order to keep a secret or to avoid saying something inappropriate.
- 03
fat lip
A swelling on the lip, especially one resulting from a punch or other blow.
- 04
give lip
To speak to someone rudely or without respect.
- 05
keep one's lips sealed
To keep quiet; to keep a secret; to not tell.
- 06
lip service
Promising but empty talk; words without action or intention.
- 07
loose lip
The practice or characteristic of being overly talkative, especially with respect to inadvertently revealing information which is private or confidential.
- 08
loosen someone's lips
To cause one to speak more freely; to cause one to discuss a subject that would not usually be discussed.
Last updated August 10, 2026