out of both sides of one's mouth

English

Etymology

Compare out of the side of one's mouth.

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Prepositional phrase

out of both sides of one's mouth

1. (figuratively, originally US) Indicating contradictory things.

   to speak out of both sides of one's mouth

   to talk out of both sides of one's mouth

   • 2002 April 7, Derek Mooney, “Ireland's future is in Europe”, in The Observer‎^[1]:

     If speaking out of both sides of your mouth at the same time were a modern art form, they would be on permanent exhibition at the Tate. Sadly, it is not the only issue where they exhibit that trait, but I shall not go into the subject of vigilantism here.

   • 2003 February 21, David Teather, quoting Samuel Hirsch, “‘McFrankenstein’ returns to haunt fast food chain in new court action”, in The Guardian‎^[2], →ISSN:

     The lawyer, Samuel Hirsch, said: "They're speaking out of both sides of their mouth," when the company claims its food is healthy but should be eaten in moderation.

   • 2015 June 19, Lenore Taylor, “The Coalition is engaging in double talk on climate policy – it has no other option”, in The Guardian‎^[3], →ISSN:

     Even to a long-term student of political ventriloquy, the Abbott government’s capacity to speak out of both sides of its mouth on climate policy is astonishing.

Translations

Translations

See also

• double talk
• in the same breath
• laugh out of the other side of one's mouth
• run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
• speak with a forked tongue

Further reading

• “talk out of both sides of your mouth”, in Collins English Dictionary.
• “speak out of both sides of your mouth” in Idioms and phrases, TheFreeDictionary.com, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.: Farlex, Inc., 2003–2025.