Definition

1. Verb (idiomatic, informal):
   • To wag one's tongue; to show off with words: To talk boastfully, excessively, or in a showy manner to impress others, often without substantial knowledge or skill to back it up. It implies using speech for empty display.
   • To be all talk: To engage in flashy or clever talk that is more about performance than genuine content or action.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta chẳng biết gì nhiều, chỉ giỏi múa mép thôi. (He doesn't know much, he's just good at wagging his tongue.)
  • Đừng có múa mép ở đây, hãy đưa ra bằng chứng cụ thể đi. (Don't just show off with words here; provide concrete evidence.)
  • Cậu ấy mới học được ít mà đã đi múa mép khắp nơi. (He just learned a little bit but goes around showing off his talk everywhere.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a strong negative connotation of dishonesty, arrogance, or insubstantial boasting. It criticizes the speaker for prioritizing style and impression over truth and substance.

Variants and Related Words

• Khua môi múa mép (idiomatic verb phrase): An intensified version meaning to be excessively boastful or to talk a big game. It emphasizes the empty, noisy nature of the speech.
  • Hắn ta suốt ngày khua môi múa mép, chẳng chịu làm việc thật. (He's always flapping his lips all day, never doing any real work.)

Synonyms

• To boast: To talk with excessive pride.
• To show off (with words): To display one's abilities or knowledge ostentatiously.
• To be a loudmouth: To be offensively noisy or boastful in speech.
• To talk big: To make extravagant or boastful statements.

Related Idioms

• Nói phét / Nói khoác: To tell tall tales; to brag or lie exaggeratedly. This is closely related but focuses more on the falseness of the content, while "múa mép" focuses on the showy performance of speaking.
• Ăn to nói lớn: To speak in a grandiose or domineering manner.

1. Waggle one's tongue (for show)
   • Khua môi múa mép, xem khua