# talk trash

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/talk-trash
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To untruthfully speak of another in a belittling, deprecative, slighting manner, either in person or in absentia.

## Examples

- Don't talk trash about your teammates.
- The players started to talk trash during the game, which made the referee very angry.
- He often talks trash about his rivals to undermine their confidence before a major competition.

## Origin

From *talk* ("to speak of, to discuss") and *trash* ("a worthless assertion for being untrue"). The phrasal verb describes the delivery of statements that are discarded upon receipt.

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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.