speak out of both sides of one’s mouth

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speak out of both sides of one’s mouth

to be inconsistent or dishonest in what one says about the same subject or matter, depending on the audience or the circumstance

Etymology:

Though the origin is unclear, it is possible this idiom was influenced by the ancient idea that the right side of anything is good and the left is evil, implying duplicitousness in that, one is speaking both good and ill on a given concept or viewpoint.

: 6 Views

“

The manager was likely speaking out of both sides of her mouth, to some us, when when she introduced the prospect of salary raises because, it seems now, that was never in the cards.

Collection Edit

Submitted by JokerGem on September 27, 2023

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to speak out of both sides of one’s mouth

speak to speak of the devil and he appears speak out speak someone's language speak for speak for oneself spell out speak of the devil and he shall appear spazz out speak in circles speak with a forked tongue speak one's mind speak to spill one's seed

How to pronounce this phrase?

Alex
US English
David
US English
Mark
US English
Daniel
British
Libby
British
Mia
British
Karen
Australian
Hayley
Australian
Natasha
Australian
Veena
Indian
Priya
Indian
Neerja
Indian
Zira
US English
Oliver
British
Wendy
British
Fred
US English
Tessa
South African

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"speak out of both sides of one’s mouth." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/speak-out-of-both-sides-of-ones-mouth_63927>.

speak out of both sides of one’s mouth

Etymology:

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