talk the talk

verb

To make statements that profess commitment, knowledgeability, or intended action (especially when the speaker's actual commitment, knowledge, or further action are in doubt).

“Some leaders only talk the talk but aren't prepared to take any risks.”

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Meanings

verbtalk the talk (third-person singular simple present talks the talk, present participle talking the talk, simple past and past participle talked the talk)

present singular third person talks the talk · participle present talking the talk · participle past talked the talk · past talked the talk

  1. idiomaticinformalintransitiveTo make statements that profess commitment, knowledgeability, or intended action (especially when the speaker's actual commitment, knowledge, or further action are in doubt).

    Some leaders only talk the talk but aren't prepared to take any risks.

    2 more examples

    When it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, he talks the talk, but it remains to be seen if he walks the walk.

    Byford talks the talk, and he does it well.

    2020 December 2, Andy Byford talks to Paul Clifton, “I enjoy really big challenges...”, in Rail, page 55

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
talk a good game

Translations

Italian esser bravi a parole
  • esser bravi a paroleTranslations
Polish mówić przekonująco
  • mówić przekonującoTranslations
Romanian una vorbim, alta fumăm
  • una vorbim, alta fumămTranslations
Spanish güirigüiriar
  • güirigüiriarTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

talk the talk. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/talk%20the%20talk

MLA

“talk the talk.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/talk%20the%20talk. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “talk the talk,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/talk%20the%20talk.

Source: talk the talk on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.