Definition

1. Idiomatic Phrase:
   • Pay lip service: The phrase "ngoài miệng" describes a situation where someone's words are insincere, superficial, or not backed by genuine intention or action. It refers to what is expressed verbally, often in contrast to one's true thoughts or feelings.

Usage Examples

• Idiomatic Phrase:
  • Anh ta ngoài miệng thì hứa hẹn rất nhiều. (He pays a lot of lip service with his promises.)
  • Đừng tin những lời ngoài miệng của hắn. (Don't believe his lip service.)
  • Ngoài miệng thì nhân nghĩa, trong bụng thì độc ác. (To pay lip service to humanity and to be cruel in one's heart of hearts.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost exclusively used to highlight a contradiction or hypocrisy between spoken words ("ngoài miệng") and internal reality ("trong bụng," "trong lòng," or actions). It is a critical term pointing to dishonesty or superficiality in communication.

Variants and Related Words

• Nói ngoài miệng (v): to say something insincerely; to pay lip service.
  • Họ chỉ biết nói ngoài miệng. (They only know how to pay lip service.)

Synonyms

• Lip service: insincere expression of support or intention.
• Empty words: speech that lacks sincerity or substance.
• Hollow promises: promises made with no intention of fulfillment.

Related Idioms

• Ngoài miệng nam mô, trong bụng bồ dao găm: Lit. "Chanting 'Buddha's name' with the mouth, hiding a dagger in the belly." Meaning to be two-faced or hypocritically kind in speech but malicious in intent.
  • Cảnh giác với kẻ ngoài miệng nam mô, trong bụng bồ dao găm. (Beware of those who are two-faced.)

1. Pay lip service tọ
   • Ngoài miệng thì nhân nghĩa, trong bụng thì độc ác
     To pay lip service to humanity and to be cruel in one's heart of hearts