Have you ever caught someone saying one thing to your face and something completely different behind your back? There’s a well-worn English idiom for exactly that kind of behavior “talking out of the side of your mouth.” Whether you’ve heard it in a heated political debate, a workplace drama, or a casual conversation with friends, this phrase carries real weight. Understanding what it means — and when to use it — can sharpen your communication skills and help you spot insincerity when it shows up.
The Two Meanings Behind This Expression
The phrase “talking out of the side of your mouth” actually carries two distinct meanings, and mixing them up is a common mistake.
Meaning 1: Dishonesty or Insincerity (Primary Meaning)
The most widely recognized meaning is deceptive or insincere speech. When someone is “talking out of the side of their mouth,” they are saying one thing while meaning another, or telling different versions of a story to different people. The phrase captures that uncomfortable gap between what a person claims and what they actually believe or do.
Think of a manager who tells their team, “We’re all in this together,” but privately reports to upper management that the team is underperforming. That gap — that split between public face and private truth — is exactly what this idiom targets.
Key characteristics of this meaning:
- The speaker says one thing publicly and something else privately
- Words don’t match actions or intentions
- The goal is often to manipulate, avoid conflict, or please multiple parties at once
- It implies a lack of integrity or authenticity
Meaning 2: Speaking Privately or in Secret (Secondary Meaning)
The second — and far less common — meaning is more literal. It refers to the physical act of whispering or speaking quietly from the side of one’s mouth so that others nearby cannot hear. Picture two people in a crowd, where one leans in and talks sideways to avoid being overheard. This meaning is rooted in the visual image of secretive communication.
However, this interpretation is largely outdated in modern usage. If you use the phrase today without clear context pointing to privacy or whispering, most listeners will assume you mean the dishonest interpretation.
| Meaning | Context | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Dishonest / insincere speech | Relationships, politics, workplace | Negative, accusatory |
| Whispering / speaking privately | Informal, physical description | Neutral, descriptive |
“Talking Out of the Side of Your Mouth” in Everyday Use
Knowing the meaning is only half the battle — using it correctly matters just as much. This idiom is informal by nature and fits best in casual speech, opinion pieces, and commentary. Below are examples to guide correct and incorrect usage.
Correct Usage Examples
These sentences use the phrase accurately to describe dishonest or evasive speech:
- “He told investors the company was profitable, but told his employees layoffs were coming. He’d been talking out of the side of his mouth for months.”
- “Stop talking out of the side of your mouth and tell me what you actually want.”
- “The senator kept talking out of the side of his mouth — promising tax cuts to voters while backing corporate subsidies behind closed doors.”
- “She praised my work in front of the team but criticized it to our boss. Classic example of talking out of the side of your mouth.”
Each of these sentences highlights a gap between stated words and true intentions, which is the heart of what this idiom means.
Incorrect Usage Examples
These examples misuse the phrase by applying it in the wrong context:
- ❌ “The scientist was talking out of the side of her mouth when she explained the research findings.” — This implies deception where none is suggested. It doesn’t fit a neutral, factual context.
- ❌ “Please refer to the clause in section 4 — the contractor was talking out of the side of his mouth.” — Too informal and judgmental for a legal document. Use “contradictory statements” instead.
- ❌ “I was talking out of the side of my mouth when I whispered to Jake during the meeting.” — This could technically use the secondary (literal) meaning, but it reads awkwardly in modern English. Say “I whispered to Jake” instead.
Context Variations
The idiom behaves differently across settings:
In casual conversation: It lands naturally and clearly. Friends, family members, and coworkers understand it immediately when describing someone who gives conflicting stories.
In political commentary and journalism: Very common and well understood. Journalists frequently use it to describe politicians or executives who shift positions depending on the audience.
In formal writing: Avoid it. Legal documents, academic papers, and business reports call for precise language. Substitute with terms like “contradictory communication,” “insincerity,” or “inconsistent statements.”
In literature and pop culture: The phrase appears regularly in fiction, TV dialogue, and song lyrics as a punchy, vivid way to label a two-faced character.
See also : Company-Wide Or Companywide
Is It the Same as “Talking Out of Both Sides of Your Mouth”?
This is where many people get confused — and the distinction is worth knowing.
“Talking out of the side of your mouth” focuses on general dishonesty or insincerity. The emphasis is on the gap between what a person says and what they actually mean or do. It’s broad. It captures evasive speech, half-truths, and hidden agendas.
“Talking out of both sides of your mouth” is more specific. It describes saying contradictory things — making opposite statements to different people, or changing your position based on whoever you’re speaking with. The “both sides” image makes the internal contradiction explicit. The person literally speaks in two opposite directions at once.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
| Phrase | Core Meaning | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Talking out of the side of your mouth | General dishonesty, insincerity | Gap between words and truth |
| Talking out of both sides of your mouth | Saying contradictory things to different people | Hypocrisy, flip-flopping |
Example to illustrate the difference:
- Side of the mouth: “He promised the client delivery by Friday, but he already knew it wasn’t possible. He was talking out of the side of his mouth.”
- Both sides of the mouth: “He told the union he supported fair wages, then told shareholders he’d keep labor costs low. He’s talking out of both sides of his mouth.”
Both phrases are related and often used interchangeably in everyday speech, but technically, “both sides” carries the added layer of explicit self-contradiction. The origin of these idioms traces back to early 20th-century American English, where “side-mouth” speech was associated with secretive or furtive behavior — someone whispering from the corner of their lips, hiding their true meaning from others nearby.
When Should You Use This Phrase?
Knowing when to reach for this idiom is just as important as knowing what it means. Here’s a practical guide:
Use it when:
- You want to call out someone’s inconsistency between words and actions
- You’re describing a public figure who shifts positions depending on their audience
- You’re in a casual, informal conversation where colorful language fits
- You’re writing an opinion piece, blog post, or social commentary
Avoid it when:
- You’re writing formal documents, reports, or academic work
- The person’s inconsistency could have an innocent explanation (they may have simply changed their mind honestly)
- The setting calls for neutral, professional language
Related expressions to know:
- Double-talk — vague or evasive language designed to confuse
- Two-faced — showing different personalities to different people
- Doublespeak — deliberately obscure or contradictory language, often political
- Flip-flopping — changing one’s stated position frequently
These synonyms can help you vary your language when writing or speaking about dishonest communication.
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FAQs
What does “talking out of the side of your mouth” mean in simple terms?
It means speaking dishonestly or insincerely — saying one thing while meaning something else, often to different people at different times.
Is this phrase negative or positive?
It’s almost always negative. Using it about someone implies you don’t trust their words or believe they’re being deceptive.
Can this phrase describe accidental dishonesty?
Not really. The idiom implies some level of intent — the person is consciously choosing to mislead or present a false impression.
What is the origin of “talking out of the side of your mouth”?
It traces back to early 20th-century American slang, likely inspired by the physical image of someone speaking secretively from the side of their lips — associated with scheming or deceptive behavior.
Is “talking out of the side of your mouth” the same as lying?
Not exactly. It’s more nuanced than an outright lie — it describes evasive, insincere, or contradictory speech that misleads without always stating a direct falsehood.
Can I use this phrase in professional writing?
No. It’s too informal and judgmental for formal contexts. Use precise alternatives like “contradictory statements” or “inconsistent messaging” instead.
Conclusion
“Talking out of the side of your mouth” is a vivid, time-tested idiom that cuts straight to the heart of dishonest communication. Whether someone is giving two different stories to two different audiences, making promises they don’t intend to keep, or speaking in vague, evasive language to avoid commitment — this phrase names that behavior with clarity and punch.
The key takeaways are simple: the phrase primarily means insincerity or deception, use it in informal contexts only, and understand that its cousin “talking out of both sides of your mouth” adds the specific element of self-contradiction. The next time you catch someone whose words don’t quite add up, you’ll know exactly what to call it.
