Idiom: talk out of both sides of one’s mouth

Meaning

Idiom: speak / talk out of both sides of one’s mouth

to say different (contradictory) things about the same topic

Note: This idiom often describes when a person says different things about the same subject when with different people or in different situations.

Example sentences

— If that’s what he said to you then he’s talking out of both sides of his mouth.

— I thought Sheila was my friend but I discovered she was talking out of both sides of her mouth.

— Like many politicians, he's speaking out of both sides of his mouth and I can't trust him.

— Either you suddenly changed your mind about wanting to have kids or you're talking outside your mouth to your new girlfriend.

— The governor is talking out of both sides of his mouth. Yesterday, he said he'd wouldn't make masks mandatory and today he described enforcement penalties for those caught without them.

— Don't you love how the director talks out of both sides of her mouth? She says she's flexible with us working from home just announced daily mandatory in-person meetings.

— People will start to trust you when you stop talking out of both sides of your mouth.

— I can possibly postpone but not cancel the promised bonuses. The team will rightly believe I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth.

— Our daughter regularly talks out of both sides of her mouth with my ex-husband and I. We have to resolve this situation quickly.

— President Trump not only talks but also lies out of both sides of his mouth.

Synonyms

double speak
try to have it both ways

Idiom: talk out of both sides of one’s mouth

Meaning

Example sentences

Synonyms

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