Definition

1. Noun:
   • Insincere verbal agreement: "lip service" refers to an expression of support or agreement that is not genuine or accompanied by sincere belief or action.
   • Empty profession: It denotes verbal acknowledgment or praise that is given only to appease or satisfy, without real commitment or follow-through.

Usage Examples

• (The politician expressed support insincerely, without taking real action.)
• (She offered empty verbal agreement without genuine intention.)

Advanced Usage

• "to pay lip service to something": to express support or agreement in words only, without genuine intention or action.

  • Many companies pay lip service to diversity but fail to hire diverse candidates. (They claim to support diversity but do not act on it.)

• "lip service is not enough": a phrase emphasizing that words must be backed by deeds.

  • Lip service is not enough; we need concrete changes. (Merely speaking in support is insufficient.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lip-sync (v): to move the lips in synchronization with recorded speech or song, often used in performance.
  • The singer lip-synced to the track during the concert. (She moved her lips in time with the recording.)

Synonyms

• Tokenism: the practice of making a perfunctory or symbolic effort, especially to appear inclusive.
• Hypocrisy: the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs that one's actions do not align with.
• Verbal nod: a brief, often insincere acknowledgment.

Related Idioms

• All talk and no action: describing someone who makes promises but never delivers.

  • He's all talk and no action — he pays lip service to every project but never starts one. (He speaks supportively but does nothing.)

• Put one's money where one's mouth is: to back up one's words with action or financial support.

  • If you truly care, put your money where your mouth is instead of just paying lip service. (Act on your words rather than speaking emptily.)