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大口を叩く (おおぐちをたたく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ku)
boast ; brag ; talk big
Idiomatic expression meaning to make exaggerated claims about oneself, often in a loud or arrogant manner. The literal image is 'striking a big mouth'.
大おお 口ぐち を 叩たた く 前まえ に 、 自じ 分ぶん の 実じつ 力りょく を 考かんが え た ほう が いい 。
Before you boast, you should consider your own ability.
Similar words 自じ 慢まん する 自慢する is a general verb for 'to boast' or 'to be proud of', while 大口を叩く specifically implies loud, exaggerated bragging.
法ほ 螺ら を 吹ふ く 法螺を吹く also means 'to boast' or 'to tell tall tales', but 大口を叩く focuses more on the act of speaking arrogantly rather than the content being a lie.
Etymology The idiom combines 大口 (big mouth) with 叩く (to strike, to beat), literally 'to strike a big mouth', figuratively meaning to talk boastfully. The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely derives from the image of someone making their mouth appear large by speaking loudly and arrogantly.