talk out of turn

present singular third person talks out of turn · participle present talking out of turn · participle past talked out of turn · past talked out of turn · alternative speak out of turn

1. idiomaticTo make a remark or provide information when it is inappropriate or indiscreet to do so, or when one does not have permission or the authority to do so.

   Because some government officials apparently talked out of turn, the Russians can now engage in ballistics blackmail with our allies.

   1957 June 13, Ruth Montgomery, “Leaders in Congress Fume at Lack of ICBM Security”, in St. Petersburg Times, retrieved 25 Sep 2008, page 2A

   4 more examples

   Wherever she was, she always essayed the leading social role; and it was seldom that a woman said to her: "Mrs. Volante, you are talking out of turn."

   1894, George Putnam, “A Lady of the Line,”, in Scribner's Magazine, volume 15, page 255

   "If the President is wise, he will henceforth confine his press conferences to domestic questions." . . . With these words, Pundit Walter Lippmann last week reprimanded Franklin Roosevelt for talking out of turn about religious freedom in Russia.

   1941 October 13, “Power Politics”, in Time

   A judge admonished rock star Courtney Love after she showed up two hours late for a hearing on drug charges and talked out of turn in court.

   2004 March 17, Robert Jablon, “Talkative Courtney Love admonished by judge in drug case”, in San Diego Union Tribune, retrieved 25 Sep 2008

   The oscillations were getting so severe that painters on the bridge learned to tie down their tins before a train passed. They found holes and rents in the iron but never reported them as they were never asked, and it wasn't their job. These were deferential times, and few wanted to talk out of turn.

   2020 September 23, Paul Bigland, “The tragic tale of the Tay Bridge disaster”, in Rail, page 81