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Meantolearn Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary

Put your money where your mouth is

0 Per dictionary, it means to show by your actions and not just your words that you support or believe in something. 02br
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00Can anyone explain why? 02br
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00Thanks, 0-
  

Top answer

0 Hi, 02br 00It means that if you just speak, you have taken no risk and done nothing. 02br 02br 00Often, it means you should take some action. However, the following dialogue is also possible.

— Clive

  • 0 Hi, 02br 00It means that if you just speak, you have taken no risk and done nothing.
  • 02br 02br 00Often, it means you should take some action.
  • However, the following dialogue is also possible.
  • 02br 02br 00A: Brazil will win the next World Cup.
  • 02br 00B: You're crazy.
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23 Answers
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0 Hi, 02br
00It means that if you just speak, you have taken no risk and done nothing. 02br
02br
00Often, it means you should take some action. However, the following dialogue is also possible. 02br
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00A: Brazil will win the next World Cup. 02br
00B: You're crazy. Put your money where your mouth is. 02br
00A: OK, I
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0 Hi Clive, 02br
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00Thanks for your explanations on the usage and the meaning of this idiom. 02br
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00I'm more interested in knowing why the idiom has such a meaning? Why not 'put your money where your brain/eye etc. is'? 02br
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00Best wishes to you too. 02br
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0 It means don't just tell me about something - do it! Back up your words with action! Therefore mouth. 0-
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0 Hi again, 02br
00I think this saying partly relies on alliteration. The words 'money' and 'mouth' both start with 'mo...' 02br
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00'Put your money where your brain is' just doesn't sound as good. 02br
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00Clive 0-
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0 I don't think the Mo's have anything to do with it. 02br
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00NonaTheBrit's explanation is correct. I am just adding a little here : The saying "Put your money where your mouth is" has a gambling, or betting origin. In a race track when a talkative person extols the characteristics of a horse, is certain on its victory, and then hesitates to put money on it he would rec
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0 Hi, 02br
00Yes, that's why my earlier example involved betting $100 that Brazil would win the World Cup. 02br
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00But do you think the saying 'Put your money where your lips are' would have been quite so popular? 02br
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00Clive 0-
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0 Hello everyone, I didn't know this saying, so read your discussion with interest. It reminds me of my experience in Russia. While travelling there I received a kind act oneday. And I said "Thank you". Then the man got angry and said: 01<"Thank you" won't reach my pocket!>00 (that is, Back up your words with action!) 02br
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00Sorry for my interruption..! 0-
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0 I think Clive is also right, we like to play with our language and alliteration is common, otherwise the idiom could just as easily have been money where your lips are, money where your tongue is, money where your words are.... 0-
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0 "Thank you" won't reach my pocket! 02br
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00How rude!!! 050010id6
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0Hey, I just popped onto your site this morning, cramming to get my idiom project done. I'd just like to say thanks a bunch, one of the two idioms I've been hacing a terrible time finding origins for is right here. You guys rock, I just may not fail the project! Keep it up! 050010id2
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