Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Talkative in a glib, slick, or overly fluent manner: Describes a person who speaks easily and volubly, often with the negative connotation of being insincere, boastful, or speaking without substance.
   • Having a loose or sharp tongue: Implies a tendency to speak out of turn, to gossip, or to make clever but potentially hurtful or inappropriate remarks.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đừng tin hắn, hắn chỉ là đứa lẻo mép thôi. (Don't believe him; he's just a slick talker.)
  • Thằng bé lẻo mép, nói chuyện với người lớn không biết giữ ý. (That boy has a sharp tongue; he doesn't know how to be respectful when talking to adults.)
  • Cô ấy nổi tiếng lẻo mép trong xóm. (She is notoriously gossipy in the neighborhood.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in a critical or disapproving sense. It highlights a flaw in a person's character related to speech, suggesting their words are not trustworthy or are socially disruptive.

Variants and Related Words

• Lẻo lưỡi (adj): Synonymous with , also meaning glib-tongued or having a loose tongue.
  • Nó lẻo lưỡi lắm, đừng kể chuyện gì cho nó biết. (He has a very loose tongue; don't tell him anything.)

Synonyms

• Glib: Speaking readily but with superficial thought or sincerity.
• Loquacious: Tending to talk a great deal (less negative, but can imply excessive talk).
• Gossipy: Fond of or engaged in casual conversation about other people.
• Sharp-tongued: Using harsh or critical language.

Related Idioms

• Lẻo mép ăn vạ: To use one's glib tongue to argue or complain in order to gain an unfair advantage or avoid blame.
  • Nó không có lỗi nhưng cứ lẻo mép ăn vạ. (He wasn't at fault but kept arguing slickly to play the victim.)