Have a big mouth
Meaning
To be someone who frequently reveals secrets or private information, often unintentionally, due to a lack of discretion.
Origin
The phrase "have a big mouth" emerged in the early 20th century as a vivid, if somewhat crude, metaphor for indiscretion. It paints a clear picture of a mouth literally too large to hold secrets, spilling information as easily as water from an overflowing cup. The directness of this imagery—a mouth physically unable to contain its contents—struck a chord, quickly becoming a popular and punchy way to describe someone prone to loose talk, a linguistic shorthand for a character flaw visible for all to see.
Examples
- I told Sarah not to tell anyone about the surprise party, but she has such a big mouth that now everyone knows.
- He lost his job because he had a big mouth and kept gossiping about his boss to clients.