What it means
To mouth off is to get lippy and start chatting reckless, rude, or way too cocky, usually to someone you probably shouldn't be trying it with. It's more than just answering back. It's that no-filter, big-noise smart-mouth energy that tends to end with someone getting shut down, thrown out, or told to pack it in.
Usage examples
"Gaz started mouthing off at the bouncer about the dress code, calling him a jobsworth. Two minutes later he’s outside, kebab in hand, acting like he won anyway."
"He started mouthing off about the referee from the stands and got himself escorted out before half time."
"Don’t start mouthing off at the manager just because your chips are cold, mate. That’s how you get barred over nowt."
"She was mouthing off in the group chat all night, then went weirdly silent when people told her to say it with her chest in person."
"You can't just mouth off at the teacher and then act shocked when they ring home, mate."
Where it comes from
Mouth off is recorded in English by the early 20th century. It grows out of mouth used as a verb for speaking, with off adding that sharp, let-it-fly feel you get in loads of phrasal verbs. The phrase settled into meaning speaking out rudely, cheekily, or with open disrespect.
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