lip service: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘lip service’ mean?
Lip service means expressing support or agreement with words, but not taking any action. It implies insincerity or empty promises, where someone merely gives verbal approval or acknowledgment without truly meaning or intending to follow through.
Idiom Explorer
Suit the action to the word means to follow through with actions that align with one's promises or statements.
"Say the word" means expressing readiness or willingness to do or provide something as soon as one is asked or instructed to.
The idiom "read someone's lips" means to carefully watch someone's mouth movements in order to understand what they are saying, especially when it is difficult to hear or understand them.
"Put up or shut up" is an idiom that means to either take action or remain quiet about a challenge or boast you have made. It implies that if you cannot back up your words with action, then it is better to say nothing at all.
The idiom "put one's money where one's mouth is" means to back up one's words or claims with actions or financial support.
"Put lipstick on a pig" is an idiom that means attempting to make something or someone appear more attractive or appealing, despite its inherent flaws or shortcomings.
When someone "puts in with" another person or group, it means they join or associate themselves with them. This can involve supporting them or becoming involved in their activities or plans.
The idiom "prop up" means to support or sustain something or someone that is weak or struggling, often by providing assistance or resources.
Unveiling Lip Service's Significance
Lip service is an idiom that refers to expressing support or agreement with something without taking any action or demonstrating genuine commitment. The phrase is derived from the literal meaning of "lip" and "service," where "lip" refers to a person's lips, and "service" implies an act or expression meant to convey a message. It is often associated with politicians who make promises without following through on them, highlighting deceptive or insincere behavior.
In William Shakespeare's play "Troilus and Cressida," the character Ulysses says, "Words, words, mere words, no matter from the heart; the effect doth operate another way." This reflects the idea that verbal expressions without true intention or action hold no value. The term "lip service" gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries as a way to criticize insincere behavior.
Today, "lip service" is commonly used to describe situations where people make empty promises or feign support without genuine commitment. It highlights the disparity between words and actions.
Another variation of the idiom is "pay lip service," which emphasizes the superficiality and lack of sincerity even more. It implies going through the motions of showing support or agreement without true belief or intention behind the words.
While the idiom "lip service" is primarily used in the English language, it is also found in other languages with similar meanings. However, the specific origins and history may vary.
The idiom "lip service" has a long-standing history in the English language and continues to be widely used to describe insincere expressions of support or agreement. It gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries as a way to criticize deceptive behavior. Today, it remains relevant in various contexts, exposing the contrast between words and actions.
The idiom "lip service" also relates to two other idioms: "read lips" and "button one's lips."
The idiom "read lips" refers to the ability to understand what someone is saying by watching their lip movements. It is often used in situations where someone has difficulty hearing or in situations where conversations need to be discreet. While "lip service" and "read lips" share the word "lip," their meanings and usage are quite different.
The idiom "button one's lips" means to keep quiet or to refrain from speaking or divulging information. It suggests a deliberate act of self-control in not sharing or revealing something. While "lip service" and "button one's lips" both mention lips, the idioms convey distinct ideas. "Lip service" implies empty or insincere talk, while "button one's lips" suggests the deliberate act of silence.
Example usage
1. Despite promising to take action on climate change, the government's efforts seemed to be nothing more than lip service.
2. The company's CEO paid lip service to the idea of equal pay for all employees, but no concrete measures were taken to address the issue.
3. The politician's speech was full of empty promises and merely lip service to the concerns of the voters.
More "Deception" idioms
